Vasilissa Olgas design was derived from that of the
Austro-Hungarian broadside ironclads of the . The ship had a
length overall of long, a
beam of and a
draft of at
deep load. The ship
displaced and was fitted with a single
steam engine that drove one propeller. The engine was rated at which gave her a speed of . For long-distance travel,
Vasilissa Olga was fitted with three
masts and was
barque rigged. She carried of coal. The ironclad was originally armed with a pair of guns and ten 70-pounders, all of which were
Armstrong rifled muzzle-loading guns. Later, she had four
17 cm RK L/25, two 17 cm RK L/20, four machine guns and four very small guns.
Vasilissa Olga had a complete
waterline armor belt that was thick
amidships and reduced to at her ends. Above the belt amidships was an
armored citadel that was protected by plates on all four sides. ==Construction and service==