The 34-ton iron pleasure yacht was launched 21st June 1860 at about 11.30am  for George Orr Wilson. The christening ceremony was performed by Miss M’Ilwaine, daughter of the Rev. W. M’Ilwaine; the launch supervised by Edward J. Harland.

 

Miranda, almost ninty feet in length, was described as a handsome looking vessel. The hull was divided into four watertight compartments, each separated by a bulkhead of plated iron and she was ballasted by a large amount of iron used in the construction of her keel. It was stated that this greatly augmented the space in the interior of the small vessel which would otherwise have been taken up with a quantity of scrap iron required for ballast when she was in full sailing trim. She was schooner rigged and also propelled by a small steam engine driving a single screw which were constructed in the foundry of Rowan & Sons, York Street, Belfast.