Both ships in the class had composite hulls, with wood frames and iron sheathing, and were built by Malster & Reaney of Baltimore, Maryland.

[4] In April 1893, on her way down the Potomac River, she rescued Congressman Reyburn when his yacht, the Gretchen, was found burning off Marshall Hall, Maryland.

[5] Less than a week later, with Commodore Fighting Bob Evans aboard, Holly and her crew rescued 28 African Americans when their boat capsized near Old Point Comfort.

[10] Her principal duties was servicing buoy inspection and overhauling work and delivering fuel to isolated light stations.

[13] The extensive overhaul was completed by the end of October 1917, and she returned to her lighthouse service duties in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.