 She was formerly a Confederate ram named CSS "General Sterling Price that was sunk and captured during the battle of Memphis on 6 June 1862 by Union naval forces under Flag Officer Charles H. Davis.After the Union victory, she was raised by the Union army and taken to Cairo, Illinois for repairs.She was moved into the Union service under Lt. LeRoy Fitch on 16 June 1862 and was moved to Cairo for repairs.