 "Monterey" was assessed at and and had deadweight of approximately 8,185.The vessel had a steel hull, and a single 661 nhp triple-expansion steam engine, with cylinders of , and diameter with a stroke, that drove a single screw propeller, and moved the ship at up to .Upon delivery "Monterey" departed Liverpool for Montreal in ballast on May 25, 1898 and arrived at her destination on June 5.