From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

McDonough is a variant spelling occasionally used by Thomas Macdonough. He was born in New Castle County, Del., 31 December 1783, and entered the Navy as a midshipman 5 February 1800. Macdonough served with distinction in the Quasi-War with France, and the Barbary Wars, and commanded the American squadron on Lake Champlain in the War of 1812. There he gained a brilliant victory over the British on 11 September 1814, for which he received many honors, including promotion to captain. After commanding Constitution in the Mediterranean in 1824 he died at sea while returning home on 10 November 1825.

Commodore McDonough , an armed side wheel ferry, was purchased 5 August 1862 in New York; fitted out at New York Navy Yard; and commissioned 24 November 1862, Lieutenant Commander G. Bacon in command.

Commodore McDonough joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Port Royal, S.C., 11 December 1862. Throughout her service, she operated in South Carolina waters, primarily off Charleston, but often cruising up the many rivers of that coast to bombard shore installations, cover the landing of troops, engage Confederate batteries, and perform reconnaissance. In the continuing operations in Charleston Harbor, she frequently bombarded the forts protecting the city

At the close of the war, she assisted in harbor clearance at Port Royal, and on 23 August 1865, while under tow for New York, she foundered.