USS Primrose, a screw steamer tugboat originally named Nellie B. Vaughn, armed with a heavy rifled gun and a howitzer capable of dropping a 24 pound ball, was acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

The tug Nellie B. Vaughn, a wooden screw steamer, was purchased on 14 January 1863, at Washington, D.C., and was renamed Primrose; fitted out at the Washington Navy Yard; and commissioned 26 February 1863, acting Master Street in command.

Laid up for repairs in February 1864, Primose returned to active duty in April, remaining with the Potomac River forces until 1866.

Then assigned to the Washington Navy Yard, she remained active until 1871, when she was placed in ordinary.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.