The first USS Tern (SP-871) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.

Tern was built as a private motorboat of the same name in 1907 by Murray and Tregurtha at South Boston, Massachusetts.

On 28 May 1917, the U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, E. F. Nail of Atlantic City, New Jersey, for use as a section patrol boat during World War I.

She was commissioned the same day as USS Tern (SP-871).

Assigned to the 4th Naval District, Tern operated on patrol duty for the rest of World War I.