The Great Lakes freighter SS Scotiadoc was a 424 feet (129 m) long, 48 feet (15 m) wide, and 23.75 feet (7.24 m) deep, dry bulk freighter of typical construction style for the early 1900s, primary designed for the iron ore, coal, and grain trades on the Great Lakes. Commissioned by the Lakewood Steamship Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, the SS Martin Mullen was launched as hull number 422 by American Ship Building Co. of Columbus.