The Cyclops-class ships were modified versions of the Cerberus class.Parkes, p. 212 The ships had a length between perpendiculars of , a beam of , and a draught of at deep load. They displaced . Their crew consisted of 156 officers and men.Parkes, p. 213 Gorgon had two 4-cylinder horizontal direct-acting steam engine, each driving a single propeller shaft. The engines produced a total of during the ship's sea trials which gave her a maximum speed of . They carried of coal,Ballard, pp. 246–49 enough to steam at .Silverstone, p. 169
