USS Antona (1863)

The USS Antona, a double-ended, side-wheel gunboat, was commissioned by the United States Navy during the American Civil War. Built by James Tetreault at Newburgh, New York, and launched in 1863, she played a role primarily in patrolling the waters of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, contributing to the Union blockade and efforts to suppress Confederate commerce.

Antona was designed for shallow-water navigation, a crucial attribute for operating effectively in the intricate waterways of the South. She was armed with a variety of guns, allowing her to engage Confederate forces and protect Union shipping. Specific details regarding her armament and dimensions can be found in naval records of the period.

Throughout her service, Antona participated in various engagements, including skirmishes with Confederate shore batteries and raids against Confederate infrastructure. She also played a vital role in maintaining the Union's control of key river junctions and supply lines.

Following the end of the Civil War, USS Antona was decommissioned and subsequently sold. Her post-war history and eventual fate are less well documented but she represents an important part of the Union Navy's riverine fleet that helped to secure victory.