Genesee was launched 2 April 1862 by the Boston Navy Yard; sponsored by Miss Emily Dorr; and commissioned 3 July 1862, Comdr.

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 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.

She was the property of Messrs. Harris & Holman & Others in San Francisco, California,[citation needed] when she was stranded on the shoreline of the Washington Territory 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of Cape Flattery on 20 November 1871.