USS Ice Boat was a vessel borrowed from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the Union Navy when the American Civil War suddenly broke out.

Ice Boat, also known as Refrigerator and Release, was owned by the city of Philadelphia and offered to the Union Navy free of expense soon after the outbreak of the American Civil War.

[1] She departed Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the same day to protect the landing of troops at Annapolis, Maryland, to encourage Maryland's adherence to the Union and to be available for the defense of Washington, D.C. Ice Boat was ordered to Washington for duty in the Potomac River 21 May arriving two days later.

News of the Union Army's defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run caused Ice Boat's return to Washington to defend the Nation's Capital.

During its seven months of service in the U.S. Navy, the Ice Boat served under the following officers:[1] This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.