Through her lengthy career, she served as a harbor tug, fireboat, cargo transport, training ship, and submarine tender, among other duties.

During her first period of commission, which lasted until 1 January 1873, Fortune was assigned to towing and freight transport services along the east coast of the United States.

Again in commission until 7 June 1879, Fortune sailed out of the Norfolk Navy Yard, carrying cargo to Washington, on harbor duty, and occasionally serving as an icebreaker.

[1] Fortune was recommissioned on 30 March 1887 to carry cargo between ships and stations along the east coast until being decommissioned at Newport, Rhode Island, on 22 April 1891.

On 2 August she arrived at Mare Island to serve as a submarine tender, joining in target practice and other fleet operations until going out of commission 10 April 1907.