The USS Advance was a screw sloop-of-war in the United States Navy during the mid-19th century. Originally built as a civilian vessel in 1847, it was purchased by the Navy in 1861 for service during the American Civil War. The ship was armed with a variety of guns, including smoothbore cannons and rifled guns, and participated in blockading Confederate ports along the southeastern coast of the United States. The USS Advance also performed reconnaissance missions and engaged in combat with Confederate forces, contributing to the Union Navy's efforts to control the waters and disrupt Confederate supply lines. After the war, the ship was decommissioned and sold in 1865. The USS Advance's service history reflects the important role played by naval vessels in supporting military operations and enforcing blockades during the Civil War, highlighting the strategic significance of maritime power during this period in American history.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.