USS Daylight, a 682-ton screw steam gunboat, was built in 1859-60 at New York City. Originally in commercial use, she was chartered by the Navy in May 1861 and placed in commission in June as USS Daylight. During next three and a half years, she operated along the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina, enforcing the Federal blockade of the Confederacy. She captured or helped capture four would-be blockade runners in 1861 and five in 1862, as well as taking part in the destruction of three more in 1862-63. In April 1862, Daylight participated in a bombardment of Fort Macon, North Carolina, and was damaged by Confederate gunfire. Transferred to the James River in October 1864, she remained in that area until the Civil War's climax in May 1865. USS Daylight was decommissioned at New York late in that month and was sold in October 1865. She soon reentered commercial service under the name Santee. She was converted to a barge in 1886 and remained in use until about 1907.
