Commanding USS Albatross, Hart served in the West Gulf Blockading Squadron during the American Civil War and engaged two Confederate steamers in the Red River near Fort DeRussy on 4 May 1863.

The turbines were designed to produce a total of 27,000 shaft horsepower (20,000 kW) intended to reach a speed of 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph).

The ships carried 225 long tons (229 t) of fuel oil which was intended gave them a range of 2,500 nautical miles (4,600 km; 2,900 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).

Following her conversion, Hart was assigned to Mine Detachment, Asiatic Fleet, and sailed for the Philippine Islands in November 1920.

Hart was sold for scrap 25 February 1932 in accordance with the London Treaty for the limitation of naval armaments.