USS Fortune (1865)

The USS Fortune was a United States Navy steamer acquired during the American Civil War. Originally built as the merchant steamer General Jesup, she was purchased by the Union Navy in 1864 and commissioned as USS Fortune in 1865, after the cessation of hostilities. The Fortune's primary role in naval service was as a dispatch and supply vessel, tasked with supporting naval operations along the Mississippi River and its tributaries in the immediate aftermath of the war. She assisted in the decommissioning and disposition of surplus naval vessels, transporting personnel and materials between naval facilities. Her service was brief, lasting only a few months, reflecting the rapid demobilization of the Union Navy following the Confederate surrender. USS Fortune was decommissioned and sold in 1865, returning to civilian service.