USS Covington (1863)

USS Covington, circa 1863–64
History
United States
Acquired	February 1863
Fate	Burned, 5 May 1864
General characteristics
Displacement	224 Tons
Length	126 ft (38 m)
Beam	37 ft (11 m)
Depth of hold	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Propulsion	steam engine side wheel-propelled
Complement	76
Armament	two 30-pounder rifles two 50-pounder rifles four 24-pounder smoothbores

USS Covington was an ironclad gunboat purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was assigned as a simple gunboat with powerful rifled guns to intercept blockade runners attempting to run the Union blockade of the Confederate States of America.

Covington did not carry mortars or howitzers, which placed her at a disadvantage when attacked riverside in 1864 by Confederate troops. Losing the battle, she was set on fire. Most of the crew escaped.