The first USS Chocura was a Unadilla-class gunboat which saw service with the U.S. Navy during the American Civil War.

Departing Boston 17 March 1862 Chocura was forced to put into Baltimore, Maryland for repairs and did not arrive at Fort Monroe, Virginia, until 6 April.

Cruising there until 15 August 1863, she captured two prizes, and assisted Maratanza in taking another.

After repairs at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Chocura sailed to New Orleans, Louisiana, arriving 30 November 1863.

Here she joined the West Gulf Blockading Squadron for patrols in the Gulf of Mexico, taking six prizes and assisting in capturing two others, and cutting out and destroying a three-masted schooner late in January 1865.