Klahowya was built at Golden, BC.Klahowya's engines came from Isabella McCormack which had been converted into a houseboat.

Frank P. Armstrong (another source gives George Rury as the builder[3]), with the capacity to carry 100 passengers.

When the Columbia River was frozen, Armstrong built the vessel on a set of shipways constructed directly on the ice.

It is possible that Canada's participation in World War I starting in 1914 helped shorten Klahowya's career.

A number of steamboats in other areas of inland British Columbia had been built to cater to tourism, which was badly affected by war.