The City of Seattle operated out of Puget Sound from 1890 to 1921, during which it ran routes between the local ports as well as Alaska, notably transporting prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush.

The City of Seattle was built in the Neafie & Levy shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under orders from Captain D. B. Jackson and the Puget Sound and Alaska Steamship Company.

[6] The City of Seattle arrived at Port Townsend, located at the mouth of Puget Sound, on December 24.

"[3] The total cost of the City of Seattle to the Puget Sound and Alaska Steamship Company was $225,000, which included $200,000 for its construction, $20,000 for delivery from Philadelphia around Cape Horn, and $5,000 for repairs in San Francisco.

[3] In 1896, the City of Seattle was purchased by the Washington and Alaska Steamship Company[9] and was then used exclusively on the Tacoma-Alaska route.

[10] When the Klondike Gold Rush began in 1897, the City of Seattle continued its Alaska runs to transport prospectors.