At about the same time the Confederate Navy Department was assuring Flag Officer Hollins that he would get the Mississippi and Louisiana to help him defend Memphis, they ordered Commander Arthur Sinclair to take command of the CSS Mississippi. He arrived on April 3, 1862.
About this time, the Tift brothers were under increasing pressure to complete their ship. A self-appointed group of citizens calling them selves the Committee for Public Safety, tried to force the launch of the Mississippi prematurely against the advice of Sinclair and a group of engineers working on the ship.
The Tufts refused, arguing that to do so would delay completion by several weeks.
All arguments were rendered moot on April 24, when the Union fleet passed the forts below New Orleans to the south. There was nothing now between the Union fleet and the city.
Trying to move his ship to a safer place and complete her, Sinclair had her hastily launched, with approval from the Tifts, and tried to have her towed upriver. The tow boats he initially hired proved unable to accomplish the tow and the next day, he tried to find others. While so engaged, the Union fleet came into view and the Mississippi was ordered burned.
--Old B-Runner
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