A steam launch (length 48 feet, beam 9 feet, draught 3 feet forward and 4 feet aft; trial speed 10.5 statute miles per hour), fitted with a 10 inch by 8 and a half inch stroke 50 indicated horsepower inverted-vertical simple marine engine operating at 255 revolution per minute with steam supplied at 90 pounds per square inch by a marine return tubular boiler. The rudderpost was dispensed with and the rudder frame and spindle were a single brass casting filled with wood, the intention being to facilitate the removal of the propeller and stern shaft. The vessel was for use in rough weather in the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro by Captain Level of the Imperial Brazilian Navy and built by Messrs. Yarrow and Hedley, Poplar.