The steering mechanics were regarded as having been an improvement from the old system, with the pilot house on the upper deck being open. Seating accommodation for 220 encircled both decks, with standing room for an additional 300 at full capacity. The height between the two decks was about seven feet. The government of Ontario had made a proper and thorough inspection of the ship in 1880, declaring her safe. The Victoria cost a total of roughly $5000 CAD to build. The Victoria had her own band, who were often aboard. But in the case of them not being present, a piano had been installed on the vessel. On Victoria Day 1880, a year prior to her sinking, the Victoria carried a total of 1605 passengers over the course of the day. The Victoria and Forest City were involved in a minor collision that day as well, being a haunting premonition for the events to come in 1881. The disaster On May 24, 1881, Londoners were eager to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday. At 9 AM, the Victoria departed from London on her first voyage of the busy day ahead, heading south down the river. The crowd aboard was joyful and laughing. Children ran about the decks, shouting at farmers working along the shore and startling cows drinking at the river's edge. As the Victoria passed under the Great Western Railway bridge a mile from the city, the passengers waved at travellers aboard a Windsor-bound train. Another mile downstream, she was docked at the Woodland Cemetery wharf, where several passengers disembarked to visit relatives' graves. Another mile, the Victoria stopped at Ward's Hotel where London's young often gathered to enjoy cockfights and drinking. At this time of day, however, the only passengers who got off were a few of the tavern's employees, who used the vessel for commuting. The Victoria then continued to the park in Byron where Captain Rankin eased her into the jetty. When her passengers went ashore, the Victoria took another load of passengers in the opposite direction to London. Twice more, she made this round trip without issue. At 3:30 PM, upon docking in London to standby for her scheduled departure at 5 PM, Captain Rankin noted the Forest City had run aground on a sand shoal in the middle of the river. The Princess Louise was being used to attempt to pull the vessel off the