Launched in 1879 as Mary and Helen, she was acquired by the United States Navy after Congress—besieged by constituents as well as government agencies—appropriated $175,000 "to enable the Secretary of the Navy to charter, or purchase, equip, and supply a vessel for the prosecution of a search for the  and such other vessels as might be found to need assistance during said cruise; provided that the vessel be wholly manned by volunteers from the Navy."
Launched in 1879 as Mary and Helen, this ship was later acquired by the United States Navy after Congress, under pressure from constituents and government agencies, allocated $175,000 "to charter or purchase a vessel for searching for and to assist other vessels that might need help during the cruise; provided that the vessel be manned entirely by volunteers."