The Oregon was an iron ship of about 3, 700 tons, classed 100 A 1 at Lloyd's, and had a number of extras in excess of the requirements of Lloyd's. Her length on the upper deck was 375 ft.; beam 40 ft.; and depth of hold 33 ft. The vessel was constructed to carry a very large cargo, with accommodation for 100 cabin, 50 intermediate, and 1,200 steerage passengers besides her crew. There were four decks – a long bridge deck of 135 ft., forming a magnificent promenade for cabin passengers ; a turtle-back deck covering in the steerage house ; a forecastle forward, with house accommodation amidships for the captain, officers and engineers. She resembled in every respect the Sarnia which had recently been launched from the same yard for the Dominion Line. Her decks were constructed of iron and covered with wood which gave immense strength and rigidity to the vessel. The saloon occupied the amidships, the main saloon was forward of the engine, and it extended to the full width of the ship, and was lighted from the sides. It also had an opening in the centre of the ceiling. A notable feature in the Oregon was the great height of the tweendecks, especially the upper and main steerage deck, which afforded perfect ventilation. The engines were built by Messrs. John and James Thomson. They were of 500 H. P. nominal, and was capable of being worked up to 2,500 H. P. and had cylinders of 48 high-pressure 87 low-pressure, with a stroke of 4 ft. 6 in. The steam was supplied by three boilers with fourteen furnaces, and the working pressure was 80 lbs.

On March 10th 1883 the Oregon sailed down the Clyde on her trial trip. From the Tail of the Bank, at the trial, the Oregon dropped slowly down the Firth, passed the Clock, and after getting up full steam ran two or three times the measured mile at Skelmorlie, the highest speed obtained was 14 knots an hour. [The Marine Engineer, Apr. 1883]