USS Hunchback USS " Hunchback " was a side - wheel , steam - powered gunboat used by the United States Navy during the American Civil War . Pre - Civil War . The original wooden boat that was later renamed as the USS " Hunchback " was built in New York City in 1852 for civilian use as a ferry . On 16 December 1861 , with the onset of the Civil War , the United States Navy purchased the boat . Within a month of its purchase , the Navy had converted the ferry into a gunboat and commissioned it for use in the war . The refitted ship was ready for departure in early January 1862 with Acting Lt . Edmund Colhoun in command . Civil War presence . USS " Hunchback " primarily served in southeastern Virginia , in the area of the James River , and northeastern North Carolina , in the area sounds . Army support . The " Hunchback ' s " first assignment was to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron , which had plans to launch an attack to capture Roanoke Island . After steaming to the Hatteras Inlet in late January where the squadron was staging its amphibious operation , the " Hunchback " and other ships departed for Fort Barrow . While in subsequent battle , the " Hunchback " carried her assault at close range towards Fort Barrow and received heavy damage . Despite the ship ' s battle scars , she played an important role in securing the fort for ground forces and was a key contributor to the successful attack on the Confederate forces . After the successful battle at Fort Barrow , the " Hunchback " continued to support Army operations by carrying troops up the Chowan River to New Bern , North Carolina , where the Confederate army had a large supply depot . With " Hunchback " providing the heavy artillery for the assault , the Union forces captured New Bern and the Confederate depot . On patrol . After her major accomplishments at Fort Barrow and New Bern , the " Hunchback " was assigned to patrol the North Carolina Sounds . While on patrol , the ship made several trips up the Chowan River . During these patrols , the " Hunchback " was responsible for the capture of four small ships and the destruction of one Confederate battery . In early October 1862 , the " Hunchback " received an urgent request for assistance near the city of Franklin , Virginia , where Confederate forces were gathering . Responding to the call , the " Hunchback " set towards Franklin in what became known as The Joint Expedition Against Franklin . The ship was unable to reach Franklin due to the narrow river and strong Confederate resistance . The " Hunchback " was eventually forced to retreat after coming within three - quarters of a mile of the city . During the rest of the " Hunchback ' s " time on patrol , she was involved in a reconnaissance mission to Hamilton , North Carolina , and the defense of Fort Anderson which came under Confederate attack . The James River . After aiding in the siege against New Bern , the combined damage from battle and routine wear left the " Hunchback " crippled . The ship steamed to Baltimore , Maryland , for repairs . After necessary repairs , she was assigned to patrol on the James River . For the ship ' s remaining days as a gun boat , it patrolled the James with occasional attacks on Confederate positions , while aiding other ships in need of assistance . Post - Civil War . With the end of the Civil War imminent , on 17 March 1865 , the " Hunchback " returned to its original patrol on the sounds of North Carolina . After one final mission in April up the Chowan River , the Navy sent the ship back to New York Harbor , where it was decommissioned on 12 June 1865 . A month later , the ship was sold to the Brooklyn and New York Ferry Company for civilian use . The boat was renamed the " General Grant " and remained in civilian use until approximately 1880 , when she was retired and scrapped .