USS Hope (1861)

USS Hope (1861) was a small schooner acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was placed into service as a gunboat assigned to support the fleet blockading the ports of the Confederate States of America. However, at times, Hope was assigned extra tasks, such as that of a dispatch boat, supply runner and salvage ship.

Purchased in New York City in 1861
Hope, a wooden schooner, was purchased by the Navy 29 November 1861 from T. P. Ives, and commissioned at New York City 14 December 1861, Acting Master M. S. Chase in command.

Assigned to the South Atlantic Blockade
Hope spent the war with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron based at Port Royal, South Carolina. She acted as a dispatch vessel supply boat for ships to the southward. In 1862 she took part in the blockade off Fernandina and the adjacent coast of Florida.

Hope captures the blockade runner Emma Tuttle
While patrolling off Charleston, South Carolina, 27 January 1863, Hope captured schooner Emma Tuttle with a cargo of saltpeter for the Confederates. In June, the ship returned north for repairs at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in July resumed blockade station off Charleston.

Hope captures blockade runner Racer
Throughout most of 1864, Hope remained off Charleston as a blockader, helping to tighten the noose which did so much to choke the rebellion. She also performed limited dispatch and supply boat duty. Hope captured sloop Racer, her second prize, off Bull's Bay 1 August.

Refitted with diving gear and assigned salvage duty
Shortly afterward the ship was fitted for diving duty and in October began salvage operations in the Savannah River, raising hulks and other obstacles. After the fall of Savannah, Georgia, in December, Hope worked on the salvage of CSS Savannah, and in the spring moved to Charleston to carry out similar duties in the Charleston harbor.

Hope returned north and decommissioned at New York City 6 September 1865. She was sold 25 October to T. Morley.