The Gila came to be built by the Colorado Steam Navigation Company as a replacement for the old Opposition steamboat, "Nina Tilden" that had been on the river since August 1864.
George Alonzo Johnson had it acquired after the creditors of the rival Arizona Navigation Company could not be salvaged from bankruptcy in the fall of 1867.
Knocked down the Gila was shipped to Port Isabel, Sonora, and reassembled and launched there under the direction of veteran Captain David C. Robinson in January 1873.
Gila was captained by Jack Mellon, who after bringing up machinery to the canyon was ordered to make the attempt to steam up the Colorado River, through the uncharted Boulder Canyon to the mouth of the Virgin River at Rioville where the salt needed for the reduction of silver ore there was mined.
Leaving at 8:30 a.m. on 7 July, Mellon tied up that evening at the deserted town of Callville, then the following day was able to negotiate the hazards of Boulder Canyon to his destination, to the amazement of the Mormon population at Rioville.