A screw steamer with full-rig auxiliary sail, Ranger was destined for a very long 65-year career, serving first as a U.S. Navy gunboat from 1876 to 1920, and later as a training ship with the Massachusetts Maritime Academy from 1909 to 1941.

The ship was finally scrapped in 1958, but her engine, which is the only one of its type known to be still in existence, was preserved and is on display at the American Merchant Marine Museum of Kings Point, New York.

Following a special fitting out for her new duty, Ranger left New York City 21 May 1877, arriving Hong Kong 24 August 1877, via Gibraltar, Suez Canal, and Malacca Straits.

On 12 October 1885 one of her boats was almost run over by steamer Modoc ( United States) off Mare Island, some of the 10 crewmen aboard jumped overboard and one drowned.

[2] While off Ensenada, Mexico, on 18 January 1886, Landsman John Enright rescued two shipmates from drowning, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

[5] Reiter was the senior U.S. naval officer present at the port of San José de Guatemala during the attempted arrest of General J. Martín Barrundia, a rebel Guatemalan general who had unsuccessfully attempted to take over the government during a military insurrection, and was forced into exile by the Guatemalan government.

On 31 January 1894, she relieved Alliance in protecting American interests in Central America, where she remained until placed out of commission 26 November 1895, except for temporary duty in the Bering Sea in May 1894.

Recommissioned 1 November 1899, she was a survey ship for two years off Mexico and Baja California, then operated with USS Wisconsin (BB-9) off Central America, protecting American national interests.

Departing Cavite 16 August, she arrived Boston 12 December via the Suez Canal, and was decommissioned immediately on 10 November 1908.