The USS Unadilla: Back to Hell Gate and Then Fisher

From the Coastal Guide.

This was the Union ship that captured the blockade-runner Lodona at Hell Gate, Georgia, 150 years ago.  Like I said, one thing led to another and there went a couple hours of research in an ever-expanding ring.

The USS Unadilla was one of 23 "90-Day Gunboats" built early in the war to provide the US Navy with ships desperately needed for the blockade.  The ship reported to duty with the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron and, on July 29th, along with the USS Huron and Madgie, exchanged heavy gunfire with Fort McAllister, Georgia, (near where the Unadilla captured the Lodona).

On August 4, 1862, it captured the British blockade-running steamer Lodona while patrolling between the Ogeechee and Vernon rivers.  The runner was carrying a cargo of foodstuffs, dry goods and building materials.  The Lodona later became a US Naval ship.

The Unadilla later took part in both battles of Fort Fisher as well as the capture of Fort Anderson in the Cape Fear River afterwards in the Wilmington Campaign.

At Fort Fisher.  --Old B-R'er