USS Bainbridge (1842)

The first USS Bainbridge was a brig in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. She was named for William Bainbridge.

Bainbridge was launched on 26 April 1842 by Boston Navy Yard and commissioned on 16 December 1842, Commander Z. F. Johnston in command.

Sailing from Boston on 26 January 1843, Bainbridge served with the Home Squadron until returning to New York on 3 May 1844. From 26 June 1844-10 October 1847, she served with the Brazil Squadron. She laid up for most of the next year, and from 10 April 1848-2 July 1850 was with the African Squadron. She departed New York on 2 November and until September 1856 cruised with both the African and Brazil Squadrons. She returned to Norfolk on 10 September 1856.

Laid up at Norfolk Navy Yard from 18 September 1856-28 April 1858, she departed Hampton Roads, Virginia on 18 May 1858 to join Commodore William B. Shubrick's Paraguay expedition for operations against Paraguay in retaliation for the attack on USS Water Witch (1851) in 1855. Bainbridge arrived at Asunción, Paraguay, in company with the squadron in January 1859 and after the matter had been peacefully settled remained with the Brazil and African Squadrons until departing Rio de Janeiro on 17 September 1860. She arrived at Boston on 9 November and was placed out of commission.

Recommissioned on 1 May 1861, Bainbridge sailed for the Gulf of Mexico on 21 May and cruised there until June 1862. While in the area she captured two schooners and assisted in the capture of one steamer. On 3 August 1862, she sailed from New York to join the East Gulf Blockading Squadron at Key West, Florida.

In September 1862, she was ordered to Aspinwall, Panama, where — from 22–24 November — a severe storm forced her to jettison all spars, sails, gun carriages, howitzers, shot, powder, provisions, and water. After extensive repairs she sailed for New York, arriving in May 1863. On 21 August 1863, while proceeding to her station with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, she capsized off Cape Hatteras with the loss of all but one of her crew.