- USS Conestoga (1861)
USS "Conestoga" was originally a civilian side-wheel
towboat built atBrownsville, Pennsylvania , in 1859. She was acquired by the U.S. Army in June 1861 and converted to a 572 ton "timberclad " river gunboat for use by the Western Gunboat Flotilla, with officers provided by the Navy.Civil War service
"Conestoga"
' s first combat action took place in September 1861 when she engaged CSS "Jackson" nearLucas Bend, Kentucky . Other skirmishes punctuated the routine of river patrol service into 1862. In February, she participated in an expedition up theTennessee River that led to the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson. Later in the month, she saw action atColumbus, Kentucky , a Confederate strong point on theMississippi River .During the rest of her service, "Conestoga" continued to operate along the rivers. She took part in the bombardment of
Saint Charles, Arkansas , in June 1862 and was formally transferred to the Navy in October of that year. In April and July 1863, she was involved in expeditions toPalmyra, Tennessee , and up the Red River, Louisiana. The following March, she went up Louisiana's Black andOuachita River s. Soon after, on8 March 1864 , USS "Conestoga" was sunk in a collision with USS "General Price".References
External links
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-c/conestga.htm USS Conestoga (1861-1864) images]
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