SS Rose Ann was built by H. M. McIntyre, Paisley, in 1879, and was constructed as a steam lighter. She was registered in Glasgow operating for James O’Brien. The Rose Ann was 105 ft long, with a beam of 19 ft, a 9 ft draught and was powered by two engines developing 48 horsepower aside (a total of 96 shp (72 kW). The Rose Ann was 130 tons.