Grant, a rare three-masted cutter, was built by Pusey and Jones Corporation of Wilmington, DE. She was a barque-rigged, iron-hulled, 163-foot steamer that displaced 350 tons. She entered service in 1871 and served on both coasts during her career, including sailing with the Bering Sea Fleet. She assisted vessels in distress, protected the seal rookeries, patrolled during the salmon fishing season, transported dignitaries, was ordered to search for the British man-of-war HMS Condor in 1902, participated in regional celebrations, and recovered bodies after the sinking of the Valencia near Cape Beale in 1906.