USS Zeta (1844)

USS Zeta (1844) was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a torpedo boat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways.

Purchased at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
J. G. Loane -- a small wooden steamer built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1844—was purchased by the Navy on 3 June 1864 at Philadelphia from William S. Mason.

Renamed Tug No. 6, and often as Picket Boat No. 6
Renamed Tug No. 6 and commissioned on 8 June 1864, Acting Ensign Frederick W. Mintzer in command, this small craft was sometimes referred to as Picket Boat No. 6 in dispatches.

Assigned as a torpedo boat in the James River
Renamed Zeta in the following November, she served as a torpedo tug in the James River until April 1865. Transferred in that month to the Potomac River flotilla of Comdr. Foxhall A. Parker, Zeta guarded the Bush River (Maryland) Bridge until sent to the Washington Navy Yard in May.

Post-war decommissioning and sale
Her services no longer required, Zeta was sold to C. Vanderwerken on 24 June 1865.