Quickstep (steamboat)
Quickstep was a steamboat that operated from 1877 to 1897 in coastal, inland waters and rivers of the Pacific Northwest. This vessel should not be confused with a number of other vessels with the same name, some of which operated in the same area about the same time. Career. "Quickstep" was built at Astoria and completed in 1877. The vessel ran on the lower Columbia River for some time. There were many owners and operators of "Quickstep" and the vessel was run on many different routes. In July 1883, "Quickstep", under Capt. Thomas Doig, was brought north from  the Columbia River to Puget Sound. Apparently "Quickstep" had been returned to the Columbia River after that, as it is reported that about 1885, under Capt. George A. Whitcomb (1854–1939), a member of a prominent maritime family, the vessel was running between Astoria and Grays Harbor. "Quickstep" is reported to have been transferred to Puget Sound in 1887, or as early as 1885, by being purchased by Capt. J.J. Hansen (later to form Hansen Transportation Company, who had moved from Minnesota to Tacoma, and decided to enter the steamboat business, with "Quickstep" being his first vessel. For a short time  in the early 1890s, "Quickstep" is reported to have been operated by Matthew McDowell for towing operations in the Tacoma area. There is also a report that "Quickstep" was sold by the Hansens in 1893 so they could replace it with a newer vessel, the "Hattie Hansen". In 1894, Capt. Charles F. Kraft (b. 1831) bought "Quickstep" and brought the vessel to Lake Washington. In 1896, Capt. John L. Anderson bought "Quickstep" for $1,600 as a replacement for his steamer "Winnifred", which had burned in early 1896. Loss by fire. On 3 January 1897 "Quickstep" in turn was lost  by fire. Anderson was able to salvage the machinery and install it in a new steamer which he built himself, "Lady of the Lake" and launched in 1897.