High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! USS Nina, a 4th rate iron
screw steamer, was laid down by Reaney, Son & Archbold, at Chester,
Pennsylvania, in 1864; launched 27 May 1865; delivered at New York Navy
Yard 26 September 1865; and placed in service as a yard tug at the
Washington Navy Yard 6 January 1866, Ensign F. C. Hall commanding that
ship and sister tugs Primrose and Rescue. Nina operated as a yard tug
for the Washington Navy Yard and Naval Gun Factory through May 1869 and
was then converted to a torpedo boat. She commissioned 31 March 1870,
Lt. Godfrey Hunter in command, and then sailed for Newport, Rhode
Island, arriving at the Naval Station 14 April. The ship served as a
torpedo boat at Newport through 1883.
