Flag was purchased on 26 April 1861 at Philadelphia as Phineas Sprague, converted as a warship at the Washington Navy Yard, and renamed and commissioned on 28 May 1861, Lieutenant Commander L. C. Sartori in command.
Ship was acquired on 26 April 1861 at Philadelphia as Phineas Sprague, transformed into a warship at the Washington Navy Yard, and rechristened and commissioned on 28 May 1861, Lieutenant Commander L. C. Sartori in command.