Built in 1983, by the Greenville Shipbuilding Corporation of Greenville, Mississippi (hull #68) as the American Challenge for the Harcon Barge Company of Smithland, Kentucky.
In 1988, the tug was acquired by the Ingram Barge Company of Nashville, Tennessee. Where she was renamed as the William McD. Kite.
In 1994, the Ingram Barge Company renamed the tug as the Sarah L. Ingram.
Powered by two, GM 16-645E7B diesel engines. She is a twin screw towboat, rated at 6,140 horsepower.