hose, which helped keep the damage from getting worse. Labor disputes In early March 1889, the employees of the OR&N's Puget Sound Steamers went out on strike. Olympian arrived in Seattle from Victoria on March 6, 1889, at 1:00 p.m., and left for Tacoma at 6:45 p.m. According to one report, Olympian’s officers had express their intent to strike as soon as the steamer reached Tacoma. The strike ended the next day, and all boats of OR&N except T.J. Potter were running again. In May 1890 waiters on all Puget Sound steamers, including Olympian, went out on strike, seeking an increase in their wages from $25 to $30 per month. Racing steamboats 1889 In late May 1889, Olympian was laid up for a general overhaul as well as installation of a new boiler and new paddle wheels. Olympian was back in service by July 4, 1889, when it raced Islander to Victoria. Olympian raced against State of Washington on July 25, 1889. Olympian also engaged in a rather absurd race against the much smaller Fleetwood (135 GT): General overhaul 1891 In January 1891, travel was reportedly very light on Puget Sound, with more boats than were needed. There had been talk that Olympian had not been profitable for some time, and that the company was saving money by not operating the steamer until trade picked up. OR&N decided to use the lull in business to have repairs done to Olympian. Initially the plan was to have Olympian taken to Portland for the work. OR&N ruled out Esquimalt dry-dock for the work, saying that it had received "shabby treatment" when dry dock had taken in another vessel, apparently in greater need of repair, ahead of Olympian. The trip to Portland did not come off because Olympian’s insurers demanded too high a premium to insure the vessel during the voyage. OR&N then decided to use the dry dock at Esquimalt, but this does not seem to have occurred either, as Olympian was still moored up at Seattle and in need of repair in late February 1891, with OR&N reported to be still undecided as to where to have the work done. Bellingham route September 1891 On August 23, 1891, Olympian carried 900 people from Victoria to Seattle on a day excursion organized by the Odd Fellows of Victoria. For a short time in September 1891, Olympian was placed on the Seattle-Bellingham route,