The first USS Bainbridge was a brig in the United States Navy during the American Civil War. She was named for William Bainbridge. Bainbridge was launched on 26 April 1842 by Boston Navy Yard and commissioned on 16 December 1842, Commander Z. F. Johnston in command. Recommissioned on 1 May 1861, Bainbridge sailed for the Gulf of Mexico on 21 May and cruised there until June 1862. While in the area she captured two schooners and assisted in the capture of one steamer. On 3 August 1862, she sailed from New York to join the East Gulf Blockading Squadron at Key West, Florida.