The Sobraon was built in Aberdeen, Scotland by Alexander Hall & Co.
Originally she was designed to have auxiliary steam power but this feature was discarded and the ship was completed as a square-rig sailing ship.
She was the largest composite ship ever built. She had iron frames and beams planked with teak. This form of construction gave the ship great structural strength and provided more space for cargo. The lower section of her three masts were also iron while higher sections of her masts and the lower yard on all masts were steel. As such she was just as strong aloft as she was in her hull.
The Sobraon was registered at 2131 tons. She was 317 feet (97m) long overall and 272 feet (83m) between perpendiculars. Her beam was 40 feet (12m) wide and her hold 27 feet (8m) deep. She could carry 3500 tons of cargo.
By her design the ship’s bow was as fine as any yacht and she had a perfect run aft. She could spread 2 acres of sail. As a result the Sobraon was a fast ship – in favourable conditions she could make over 16 knots, ie. 16 nautical miles in one hour (18.4 miles or 29.6 kms).