The steam-powered gun turret of the Neosho was at the bow. She had a single deckhouse between the funnel and the sternwheel, although another was later added between the turret and the funnel. Her pilothouse was positioned above the rear deckhouse, next to the forward face of the sternwheel. The ship was long overall and had a beam of . When launched she proved to have a draft deeper than planned and she measured 523 tons burthen. Neosho had four steam boilers powering a two-cylinder, western steamboat-type engine that drove the sternwheel. The ship had a maximum speed of in service and she carried of coal. Her crew numbered 100 officers and enlisted men. After commissioning, the ship was modified with a small breakwater at her bow.