Mendota, a sidewheel gunboat, was launched 13 January 1863 by F. Z. Tucker, Brooklyn, New York; acquired by the Navy 1 February 1864; and commissioned 2 May 1864, Comdr.

From the day of her commissioning in 1864, Mendota was assigned to the James River Division, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

Her guns were used to prevent the establishment of Confederate batteries or entrenchments which would threaten river communications or imperil a small Union Army base camp.

During her last two months of service, she directed ship movements at Hampton Roads, Virginia, and also at the mouth of the Delaware River.

After the war, Mendota decommissioned 12 May 1865 and was laid up at League Island, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until sold 7 December 1867.