[1] Active was 122 ft (37.2 m) long, measured over the hull, and exclusive of the extension of the main deck over the stern, called the "fantail", on which the stern-wheel was mounted.

[2] Active had a beam of 23 ft (7.0 m) exclusive of the protective timbers along the upper sides of the hull called the guards.

[2] Active was driven by a stern-wheel, turned by twin steam engines, horizontally mounted, each with bore of 14 in (36 cm) and stroke of 4.5 ft (1.4 m), generating 13 nominal horsepower.

[2] Upon completion, Active was commanded by John T. Apperson, who was also a stockholder in the steamer's first owner, the Willamette Steam Navigation Company.

[1] The speed contests between Reliance and Active were remembered many years later by one old steamboat man as the "most exciting boat racing I have ever seen.

[1] On September 6, 1871, the People's Transportation Company, apprehensive that the pending completion of the locks at Oregon City would bring a new challenge to its near-ten-year monopoly, voted to dissolve the corporation and sell all its assets, including the steamer Active, to Ben Holladay's company, the Oregon and California Railroad, for $200,000.