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Photo # NH 57822:  USS Varuna.  Artwork by R.G. Skerrett

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Varuna (1862-1862)

USS Varuna, a 1300-ton screw steam gunboat, was purchased by the Navy in late December 1861, while under construction at Mystic, Connecticut, for civilian use. After conversion to a warship, she was commissioned in February 1862. Soon sent to the Gulf of Mexico for service, she was present when Federal warships confronted Confederate-held Forts Jackson and St. Philip on the lower Mississippi River. On 24 April 1862, as the Union fleet boldly steamed past those fortifications to attack New Orleans, Varuna was closely engaged and rammed by the Confederate ships Governor Moore and Stonewall Jackson (identified in one contemporary print as the General Breckinridge). The fatally-damaged Varuna's gun crews continued firing on the enemy until their ship sank.

This page features our only views of USS Varuna.

For pictorial coverage of a Varuna crewman who received the Medal of Honor for his conduct during the 24 April 1862 battle, see:

  • William McKnight.

    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 57822

    USS Varuna
    (1862-1862)

    Sepia wash drawing by R.G. Skerrett, 1904.

    Courtesy of the Navy Art Collection, Washington, DC.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 455 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59063

    "Panoramic View of the United States Fleet passing the Forts on the Mississippi, on its way to New Orleans, April 19th, 1862."


    Contemporary line engraving published in "The Soldier in our Civil War", Volume I.
    It depicts the Federal ships shortly before they began the passage of the forts, with the Confederate gunboats waiting upstream. Individual U.S. Navy ships (as identified in text below the engraving) are: John P. Jackson; Mississippi; Pensacola; Hartford (Flagship); Iroquois; Westfield; Cayuga and Varuna.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 77KB; 740 x 370 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 76369-KN (Color)

    "The Splendid Naval Triumph on the Mississippi, April 24th, 1862"

    Colored lithograph, published by Currier & Ives, 1862.
    It depicts Farragut's fleet passing Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, below New Orleans. For the description provided on the original print, and identification of ships and features, see Photo # NH 76369-KN (complete caption).

    Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Art Collection, Washington, D.C.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 98KB; 740 x 550 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59071

    Farragut's fleet passing Forts Jackson & St. Philip


    Line engraving published in "Virtue", depicting the battle, which took place on the lower Mississippi River during the night of 24 April 1862.
    A key to the forts and specific U.S. and Confederate ships is given at the bottom of the view.
    The ships include USS Varuna (in action with Confederate gunboats), USS Brooklyn, USS Pawnee (which was not present), USS Hartford (Farragut's flagship, with a fire raft alongside), USS Pensacola, USS Mississippi, CSS Louisiana (exploding), CSS Manassas and Federal mortar vessels.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 130KB; 740 x 590 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59077

    "Engagement between the U.S. Gunboat 'Varuna' and the Confederate Ram 'Breckinridge' and Gunboat 'Governor Moore'."


    Line engraving published in "The Soldier in Our Civil War", Volume I. It depicts USS Varuna in the center, being rammed by a Confederate ship identified as "Breckinridge" (at left) while engaging CSS Governor Moore (at right) during the battle off Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 24 April 1862.
    The side-wheel steamer identified here as "Breckinridge" (General Breckinridge), is more probably the Stonewall Jackson.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 420 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59076

    "Fight between the 'Varuna' and the 'Governor Moore'."


    Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 1862, depicting USS Varuna sinking at right, after she was rammed by CSS Governor Moore during the battle off Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 24 April 1862.
    The Governor Moore is shown at left, beached and burning after being severely damaged by the Union fleet.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 265 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 504

    "The Last Broadside of the Varuna."


    Line engraving, published circa the 1860s, depicting USS Varuna continuing to fire at Confederate forces as she sank, during the battle off Forts Jackson and St. Philip, below New Orleans, Louisiana, on 24 April 1862.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 112KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     

    For pictorial coverage of a Varuna crewman who received the Medal of Honor for his conduct during the 24 April 1862 battle, see:

  • William McKnight.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 30 November 2001