USS William G. Putnam (1857)

USS William G. Putnam (1857) -– also known as the USS General Putnam -- was acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War for the purpose of guarding the shores and waterways of the American coast from smugglers and blockade runners.

A ship with two names
The Navy purchased William G. Putnam, a  wooden-hulled  tug built  in 1857 at Brooklyn, New York, on 24 July 1861 at New York City and renamed the vessel General Putnam soon thereafter. The vessel's name later returned to William G. Putnam while in the service of the U.S. Navy.

Civil War account of the ship
In Civil War accounts, the ship is mentioned by both names, as well as, simply, "Putnam." For a full account of the activity of William G. Putnam see USS General Putnam (1857).