CSS Gaines was hastily constructed by the Confederates at Mobile, Ala., during 1861-62, from unseasoned wood which was partially covered with 2-inch iron plating. Gaines resembled CSS Morgan except that she had high pressure boilers. Operating in the waters of Mobile Bay, under the command of Lt. J. W. Bennett, CSN, she fought gallantly during the battle of 5 August 1864 until finally run aground by her own officers to avoid surrender to the Union forces.