Conestoga was originally built as a commercial tow boat in 1859 at Brownsville, Pennsylvania.  She was purchased by the Federal government in June 1861 and converted into a woodclad gunboat.

Conestoga participated in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson in early 1862, and in an expedition to Palmyra, Tennessee, in 1863. She sank after colliding with the General Price in 1864.

Specifications of USS Conestoga:

Displacement: 572 tons
Armament: 4 32-pounders

  Federal Warships

Last update:  December 6, 2001