The ship was built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard of "Florida live oak and white oak," left over from the construction of the warship . She was "...topped by a flush deck fore and aft... To better withstand buoys scraping her sides, "Shubrick"s hull was painted black, topped with a white ribbon and waist. Red paddle wheels, white paddle boxes, and a black bowsprit, yards and gaffs added a saucy touch to her long and graceful cutwater, with six inches of bright copper shining above the waterline."