The first USS Ossipee was a wooden, screw sloop of war in the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was named for the Ossipee River of New Hampshire and Maine. Ossipee's keel was laid down in June 1861 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine; launched 16 November 1861; sponsored by Mrs. McFarland, wife of the editor of the Concord Statesman; and commissioned 6 November 1862 Lieutenant Commander Robert Boyd in command. Ossipee was one of four sister ships which included USS Adirondack, USS Housatonic and USS Juniata.