The first USS Sturdy (SP-82) was a patrol boat acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of patrolling the coastal waters of the U.S. East Coast during World War I.

Her primary task was to guard the coastal area against German submarines by tending to antisubmarine nets in New York Harbor.

A. Nickelson of Morris Heights, and was commissioned on 25 June 1917.

During World War I, Sturdy was assigned to the 3rd Naval District and served as a net tender until placed on sale on 9 October 1919.

She was struck from the Navy list on 13 January 1920 and sold on 30 March 1920.