The Fates of the Six Frigates Created by the Naval Act of 1794 | The Sextant

On May 10, 1797, the first US Navy ship, the "United States," was launched. A short excerpt:

"The Fate of USS United States: Forced into Confederate Service

We start with USS Constitution’s oldest sister, USS United States, launched May 10, 1797 in Philadelphia. Her original captain, John Barry, had been a hero of the revolution. During the War of 1812, she was captained by Stephen Decatur Jr. and successfully captured HMS Macedonian.

By 1861, USS United States was rotting in Norfolk when she was captured by Confederate forces. She was then commissioned CSS United States, often called CSS ‘Confederate’ States, (a fitting metaphor for the divided nation). A year later, the Confederates abandoned the navy yard and sunk CSS United States to block incoming Union ships. It’s said that an entire box of axes was ruined as they attempted to scuttle the ship, making it necessary instead to bore through the hull.

After Union troops recaptured the Norfolk Navy Yard, USS United States was raised, but soon after broken up for scrap wood."