USS Elfin (1864)

The first USS Elfin was a light draft gunboat acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a patrol vessel on Confederate waterways.

It was purchased as W. C. Mann by Admiral David Dixon Porter at Cincinnati, Ohio, 23 February 1864, and placed under the command of Acting Master A. F. Thompson.

Assigned to the Mississippi Squadron
Assigned to the Mississippi Squadron, she cruised in the 7th District between Caledonia and Mound City, Illinois, for a month, then took up duty in the 9th District extending from Cairo, Illinois, to the head of the Tennessee River.

Elfin destroyed in combat with Confederate shore batteries
On 4 November 1864 Elfin was operating with USS Tawah (1863) and USS Key West (1862) in the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. After a severe engagement of several hours with heavy Confederate shore batteries it was considered impossible to save the three vessels, and they were burned to prevent capture.