USS Covington was an ironclad gunboat purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

Covington, a side wheel steamer, was purchased in February 1863 from Samuel Wiggins at Cincinnati, Ohio; fitted for service at Cairo, Illinois; and assigned to the Mississippi Squadron, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant George P. Lord in command.

Serving in the Tennessee River to convoy Union Army transports and other ships, Covington had frequent encounters with Confederates along the banks.

Ordered to report to Alexandria, Louisiana, on 27 April 1864, Covington sailed with Signal protecting the Army transport Warner down the Red River.

After five hours of bitter fighting, the transport was captured and the two escorts (Covington and Signal) were so badly damaged that they had to be abandoned and set afire.