USS Genesee ( 1862 ) USS " Genesee " ( 1862 ) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War . She was used by the Navy to patrol navigable waterways of the Confederacy to prevent the South from trading with other countries . " Genesee " was launched 2 April 1862 by the Boston Navy Yard ; sponsored by Miss Emily Dorr ; and commissioned 3 July 1862 , Comdr . William M . Macomb in command . Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockade . Assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron , " Genesee " sailed from Boston , Massachusetts , 6 July 1862 for Hampton Roads , Virginia , where she convoyed U . S . mail steamers in the James River until departing 19 October for blockade duty off North Carolina . For over 3 months she helped seal Wilmington , North Carolina , and Beaufort from Confederate blockade runners . Reassigned to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron . She got underway 19 February 1863 to join the West Gulf Blockading Squadron , arriving New Orleans , Louisiana , 7 March in time to join Rear Admiral David Farragut ' s expedition up the Mississippi River past Port Hudson , Louisiana , to cut off Confederate supplies from the Red River and to join Admiral David Dixon Porter and General U . S . Grant in operations against Vicksburg , Mississippi . Attempting to pass the deadly guns of Port Hudson . During the siege of Vicksburg to the north , Port Hudson was the Confederate stronghold to the south . In order to cut off supplies which were being shipped from the west , Farragut & Banks determined to run the fort at Port Hudson . For the dangerous passage , Farragut lashed gunboats to the sides of his large steamers to protect the heavy ships from enemy fire and to improve their maneuverability . " Genesee " was paired off with " Richmond " when the Union Fleet moved upstream on the night of 14 March and came within range of the Confederate guns . In the ensuing fight Farragut ' s losses were greater than those he had suffered in taking New Orleans . " Richmond ' s " steam line was severed , forcing her to drop down out of range . " Genesee " fought on ; but a 6 - inch shot pierced her hull and detonated a 10 - inch shell which , in turn , wreaked havoc below ; and the murderous fire shredded her rigging . Only " Hartford " and her consort " Albatross " made it past the Southern batteries . Ordered to the Gulf of Mexico for guard duty . Following needed repairs , " Genesee " continued to patrol the Mississippi River until after the fall of Vicksburg 4 July 1863 . Then , she was ordered to the Gulf for blockade duty on 11 September . She discovered blockade - running steamer " Fanny " bound for Mobile , Alabama , 11 September , and with " Jackson " and " Calhoun " gave chase . As they closed , the blockade runner ' s captain burned his ship to the waterline rather than allow her capture . " Genesee " continued to operate off Mobile with Admiral Farragut and assisted in several captures as the Navy prepared for the assault on Mobile Bay . When the fleet steamed boldly into the bay on 5 August to engage the forts and Confederate squadron , " Genesee " remained outside until the passage was effected , then steamed up to open fire on Fort Morgan . Converted into a storeship . " Genesee " was used subsequently as a stores ship , and for the next several months was occupied supplying ships of the fleet and helping to drag Mobile Bay for dangerous torpedoes ( mines ) , a duty in which several ships were lost . End - of - war decommissioning and sale . She sailed 11 July 1865 for Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard 20 July , and decommissioned there 31 July . " Genesee " was sold 3 October 1867 to Michael G . Kimber of Halifax , Nova Scotia , Canada .