The keel for CSS "Texas" was laid down at Rocketts Naval Yard, just outside Richmond, Virginia. She was launched in mid-January 1865, almost at exactly the same time unfinished sister "Columbia" was crippled beyond salvation. At the time of Robert E. Lee's evacuation of Richmond on 3 April 1865, she was left unfinished but intact at the Richmond Navy Yard, one of only two vessels (the other one being the small iron-hulled gunboat CSS "Beaufort") which escaped destruction by the retreating Confederate forces, though attempts were made to set her ablaze. Captured when the city fell the following day, both ironclad and gunboat were appropriated "for use in the Navy", as per Union Admiral David D. Porter (not related to the "Texas" designer). In his official report of April 12, 1865, Porter mentioned that he was informed that the engines and parts of her amor were not yet installed, but resided undamaged, but completed in the warehouses of the Richmond naval yard. He subsequently ordered all to be taken for transport to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, along with the ship they were intended for. This task was started on 3 May 1864 and completed the following day, when "Texas" was towed by three tugboats downstream, accompanied by the Union ironclad , commanded by Lieutenant Commander R. Chandler who was given the overall assignment.