In the summer of 1909 Katherine Hughes travelled on the S.S. Peace River. In her journal for her journey she describes typical activities on the steamboat:

" Each two hours the steamboat bell rings four times for the deckhands to go and pile wood into furnace, and then afresh the cinders come out with a rush and the smell of wood fire ascends to our deck--Likewise the heat of it.

The meals are served as for a family. Purser at one end, Captain at other, the other serving the food.

We had:

Bread made from Peace River wheat at Vermilion Mills.

Butter made from Peace River cream.

Potatoes.

Alll waiting to rise from meal together. A young Metis serves the meals and acts as Steward. Good while linen, etc."

In the Promised Land of Alberta's North: The Northern Journal of Katherine Hughes (Summer 1909)., edited by Ken Kaiser and Merrily Aubrey. Edmonton: Alberta Records Publication Board, Historical Society of Alberta, 2006, pp. 35-6.