George,

I think you pose a good question. Considering she was built more as a river/coastal vessel, I doubt the would have been particularly nimble under sail in open water. Having seen the stern at the museum, I don't recall any evidence of a lifting mechanism. Nor do I recall something that looked like a dog clutch although I'm not sure that I know that the latter would look like or where it would be.

I don't see how she could have had much real range. CSN powerplants were always suspect and coal was scarce. She would be putting up a visible smoke plume from Southern coal and that puts her at a disadvantage. Her speed does not appear to have been sufficient to prevent her being chased down in open water. Seems to me she would be better served darting out unexpectedly to fight on her own terms, then returning to cover of shallow water either after success or at any time she found things stacked against her. I could see her establishing control for several days, then being forced back into shallow water when a new USN blockading force arrived.