[1] The ship was built in steel by Aitken and Mansel and launched on 10 April 1884.

She was constructed for a joint venture between the London and South Western Railway and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway for the passenger trade to the Isle of Wight.

The engines were provided by J and J Thomson of Glasgow, with a pair of fixed diagonal surface condensing engines, the cylinders of which were 32 inches (81 cm) and 55 inches (140 cm) in diameter, the stroke being 5 feet (1.5 m).

Steam was provided from four steel boilers which could produce 110 lbs per square inch.

[2] The design of the vessel was overseen by Mr Stroudley, engineer of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway.