The first USS Charleston was a row galley that served in the United States Navy from 1798 to 1802.

History
United States
Name	USS Charleston
Namesake	Charleston, South Carolina
Laid down	1798
Launched	1798
Completed	1798
Commissioned	1798
Fate	Sold about 1 February 1802
General characteristics
Type	row galley
Length	52 ft (16 m)
Beam	15 ft (4.6 m)
Depth	5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)
Complement	28 officers and enlisted men
Armament	1 × 24-pounder gun 5 × howitzers

Charleston was built at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1798. Commanded by Captain-of-a-Galley James Payne, she was used to defend the coast of South Carolina during the Quasi-War with France. She was sold in Charleston around 1 February 1802.