The first USS Trenton was a wooden-hulled screw steamer in the United States Navy. She was named for Trenton, New Jersey. Trenton was laid down by the New York Navy Yard in 1875; launched on 1 January 1876; sponsored by Ms. Katherine M. Parker; and commissioned on 14 February 1877, Captain John Lee Davis in command. The Trenton was the first US naval vessel to use electric lights, which were installed in 1883.