Steamships of The Civil War Time

High pressure steamboat Mayflower first class packet between St. Louis...

Artist: Charles Parsons. Currier & Ives : a catalogue raisonné / compiled by Gale Research. Detroit, MI : Gale Research, c1983, no. 3052

Helena, Arkansas. April 26, 1865. Ill-fated Sultana

Photograph shows the overloaded steamboat Sultana on the Mississippi River the day before her boilers exploded and she sank on April 27th. The passengers included ca. 1,880 Union soldiers heading home at the en... More

[The construction of gunboats in İzmit]

Group of soldiers, standing, facing front, wall behind them, another wall and building in background. Title translated from album caption. Captioned in Ottoman Turkish and French. No. 12. No. 67. In album: Ship... More

[James River, Virginia Deck of Confederate gunboat Teaser, captured by...

Photographs of the Federal Navy, and seaborne expeditions against the Atlantic Coast of the Confederacy -- the Federal Navy, 1861-1865.

The monitor Canonicus, James River, Virginia

No. 4093. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948. The albumen silver print is a photographic printing process that was widely used in the 19th century. It involves coating paper support with a mixture of egg whites a... More

Moonrise on the Ohio. 19th century, Library of Congress collection

Boats on river, mountains, and moon in background. Public domain photograph of steamboat ship, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

United States iron-clad screw ram "Dunderberg"--Designed and construct...

Side view of ship. Public domain scan of American 19th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Charleston Harbor, S.C. Deck and officers of U.S.S. monitor Catskill;...

Photographs of the Federal Navy, and seaborne expeditions against the Atlantic Coast of the Confederacy -- the Federal Navy, 1861-1865.

The levee at Vicksburg, Miss., February, 1864

Stereograph showing steamboats at the dock. The Mississippi river in the background.

[James River, Virginia Deck and turret of U.S.S. Monitor]

Photo shows the light damage caused to the turret of the ironclad USS Monitor during her fight with the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia, March 9, 1862 at the Battle of Hampton Roads-the first battle of two ir... More

The first battle between "iron" ships of war

Print shows the Monitor and the Merrimack firing at each other during battle, with other battleships in the background, one sinking on the left. Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1862 by Henry B... More

The Iron-coated French frigate La Gloire / Smythh.

Illus. in: The Illustrated London news, 1861 March 9, p. 227.

Scenes in the Brooklyn Navy-Yard: Gunboat on the Stocks

Men building gunboat. Illus. in: Harper's Weekly, 1861 Aug. 24, p. 534. Reference copy may be in LOT 4397-I (oversize). This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: NYC, N... More

Officers on deck of U.S.S. Mendota, James River, Virginia

No. B265. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948. Public domain image of an American navy warship, 19th-century ship, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Map showing the system of Confederate fortifications on the Mississipp...

Scale 1:84,480. LC Civil War Maps (2nd ed.), 300 In lower left margin: Report of Maj. Gen. John Pope to the Committee on the Conduct of War. "No. 1" is in the upper right margin. Similar to the preceding map, b... More

Drewry's Bluff, Virginia. Federal transports with cargoes of artillery...

Picryl description: Public domain historical photo, American history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

U.S. ironclad gunboat Essex - An old photo of a boat in the water

Photo shows the USS Essex, launched in 1856 as the New Era and acquired druing the American Civil War by the US Army in 1861 for the Western Gunboat Flotilla. Transferred to the US Navy in 1862 and participated... More

Saint Louis, MO. in 1855 / engr. on stone by Leopold Gast & Brother.

Print showing panoramic view of Saint Louis, Missouri, looking across the Mississippi River; many steamboats docked along the waterfront, most named, the largest, under steam on the left, is the "John Simonds."... More

Montgomery C. Meigs to Abraham Lincoln, Friday, February 28, 1862 (Ex...

U.S. gunboat Essex - Mississippi River Fleet

No. 3134. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948. The albumen silver print is a photographic printing process that was widely used in the 19th century. It involves coating paper support with a mixture of egg whites a... More

[James River, Virginia Deck of iron-clad gunboat Galena, showing stack...

Photographs of the Federal Navy, and seaborne expeditions against the Atlantic Coast of the Confederacy -- the Federal Navy, 1861-1865.

On the Ocklawaha [sic], Florida

Public domain image of a boat in the water, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[The cannon drill on the Imperial Ironclad Frigate Osmaniye] / Constan...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a navy artillery gun, cannon, ship weapon, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Steamer of Ob River system, Tiumen

Photo by Sokolov. Transfer; Manuscript Division (George Kennan Papers); 1973; (DLC/PP-1973:080). Forms part of: George Kennan Papers.

[James River, Virginia Sailors relaxing on deck of U.S.S. Monitor]

Photo shows Robert Williams, a native of Wales, at far right. Photographs of the Federal Navy, and seaborne expeditions against the Atlantic Coast of the Confederacy -- the Federal Navy, 1861-1865.

Drewry's Bluff, Virginia. Interior of Fort Darling. (Magazines, bomb-p...

Public domain historical photo, 19th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

The city of St. Louis / sketched & drawn on stone by Parsons & Atwater...

Bird's-eye view of St. Louis, Missouri, as seen from above the Mississippi River; prominent features identified below the image.

Norway, the steamer parting the fjord

Drawing shows a sidewheel steamship from behind, as it passes out of a Norwegian fjord. Bayard Taylor traveled through Norway and Scandinavia in 1856 and 1857, after the death of his first wife. Inscribed upper... More

View of Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post. [January 11, 1863]

Small drawing of the fort showing the location and size of guns, casemates, powder magazine, and other buildings. Scale ca. 1:2,450. LC Civil War Maps (2nd ed.), 115.2 From Report of the Secretary of the Navy, ... More

View of Cincinnati, Ohio - Public domain albumen print photogrpaph

490 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright entry no. 490 dated August 15, 1866 in volume covering time period, Nov. 9, 1864 - May 9, 1867. Transfer; U.S. District Court. Ohio. Southern District.

[The cannon hold on the Imperial Ironclad Frigate Mahmudiye] / Constan...

Title translated from album caption. Captioned in Ottoman Turkish and French. No. 35. No. 628. In album: Imperial frigates and naval personnel, Istanbul, Ottoman Empire. Forms part of: Abdul-Hamid II Collection... More

[James River, Virginia Sailors relaxing on deck of U.S.S. Monitor]

Photo shows Robert Williams, a native of Wales, at far right. Photographs of the Federal Navy, and seaborne expeditions against the Atlantic Coast of the Confederacy -- the Federal Navy, 1861-1865.

Drewry's Bluff, Virginia. Exterior of Confederate Fort Darling. (Maske...

Public domain photograph of American Civil War era building, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The Willoughby polka - Public domain American sheet music

From: Music Copyright Deposits, 1820-1860 (Microfilm M 3106) Also available through the Library of Congress Web Site as facsimile page images. (additional physical form) In bound volumes: Copyright Deposits 1820-1860

[James River, Virginia Sailors on deck of U.S.S. Monitor; cookstove at...

Photographs of the Federal Navy, and seaborne expeditions against the Atlantic Coast of the Confederacy -- the Federal Navy, 1861-1865.

U.S. Steamer Vixen, U.S. Gun Boat Curlew, [and] U.S. Gun Boat "Pochaho...

Broadside views. Title devised and inscribed below images. Gift, J.P. Morgan, 1919 (DLC/PP-1919:R1.2.1098 recto) Forms part of: Morgan collection of Civil War drawings.

On deck of U.S.S. New Hampshire off Charleston, S.C.

No. 4957. Mounted with four other photographs and one print. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948.

Reconnoissance of the Mississippi River below Forts Jackson and St. Ph...

At head of title: U.S. Coast Survey. Prof. A. D. Bache, Supt. Stamped in lower right corner: From collection of David Dixon Porter. Pen and ink manuscript drawn on tracing cloth, covering the environs of forts ... More

Gunboat Mendota on James River, Virginia, August, 1864

Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948. The albumen silver print is a photographic printing process that was widely used in the 19th century. It involves coating paper support with a mixture of egg whites and salt, w... More

Three gun battery on "The Battery," Charleston, S.C.--The gun in dista...

Civil War Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). No. 3068. Public domain photograph - ship, port, harbor, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[The cannon drill on the deck tower of the Imperial Ironclad Frigate A...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a navy artillery gun, cannon, ship weapon, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

[The cannon drill on the Imperial Ironclad Frigate Mahmudiye] / Consta...

Title translated from album caption. Captioned in Ottoman Turkish and English. No. 36. No. 423. In album: Imperial frigates and naval personnel, Istanbul, Ottoman Empire. Forms part of: Abdul-Hamid II Collectio... More

Lake Gogebic, Mich., steamboat "Brand"

Public domain image of a boat in the water, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The sea steamer schottisch - Public domain American sheet music

From: Music Copyright Deposits, 1820-1860 (Microfilm M 3106) Also available through the Library of Congress Web Site as facsimile page images. (additional physical form) In bound volumes: Copyright Deposits 1820-1860

The sweet moss rose of the Western wave

James River, Virginia. 100 pdr. gun on Confederate gunboat TEASER capt...

Public domain historical photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

John A. Andrew to Charles Sumner, Tuesday, April 28, 1863 (Ironclad t...

Public domain scan of manuscript related to Massachusetts, American history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Patapsco engaging Sullivans Id. Batteries.

Broadside view of an ironclad shelling a fort in Charleston, S.C. Harbor. Title inscribed lower left. Inscribed above image: red top to stack. Possibly by William Waud. Gift, J.P. Morgan, 1919 (DLC/PP-1919:R1.2... More

[Ben Campbell, steamship at landing]

Photographer unidentified. Case: front, variant of Rinhart 163; back, central spiral within rectangular border. Purchase; 1982; (DLC/PP-1982:095). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Library of Congress).

(River gunboat), gelatin silver print during American Civil War

Part of Brady-Handy Collection. Public domain photograph of a boat, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Map showing the Rebel batteries at Island no. 10 & vicinity for the de...

Scale 1:12,000. LC Civil War maps (2nd ed.), 299 The number and type of guns in the "batteries on Kentucky shore" and in the "batteries on Island no. 10" are included in the legend. Description derived from pub... More

Port Royal Island - 1. Camp Saxton (Smith's plantation) - the new head...

Illustrations show (top) military camp for 1st South Carolina Infantry Regiment, Union regiment of former slaves, and escaped slaves entering the town of Mitchelville; (middle) batteries; and (bottom) iron clad... More

Burning of the steamer Stonewall, on the Mississippi River, October 28...

Illus. in: Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, Nov. 13, 1869, p. 149.

U.S.S. Yantic - Public domain image of steamship

Picryl description: Public domain image of a ship, navy, harbor, maritime photograph, 19th-20th century architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

[Charleston Harbor, S.C. 24-pdr. howitzer on deck of U.S.S. Pawnee]

Photographs of the Federal Navy, and seaborne expeditions against the Atlantic Coast of the Confederacy -- the Federal Navy, 1861-1865.

John A. Andrew to Charles Sumner, Tuesday, April 28, 1863 (Ironclad t...

Public domain scan of manuscript related to Massachusetts, American history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

United States gunboat "Maritanza," July 4, 1862

Photograph shows the sidewheel steamship "Maritanza," in the James River immediately after the capture of the Confederate gunboat, "Teazer" (i.e. Teaser) by Union forces on July 4, 1862. Purchase; Robin Stanfor... More

Saint Louis, MO. in 1855 / engr. on stone by Leopold Gast & Brother.

Print showing panoramic view of Saint Louis, Missouri, looking across the Mississippi River; many steamboats docked along the waterfront, most named, the largest, under steam on the left, is the "John Simonds."... More

U.S. gunboat Kickopee - An old photo of a boat on the water

No. 3138. Mounted with five other photographs with general caption: Mississippi River Fleet. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948.

U.S. gunboat Tyler - Mississippi River Fleet

Photograph shows a Union timberclad, the U.S.S. Tyler. No. 3127. Hand written on verso: "Miller, vol. I, p. 189". Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948.

Map shewing the several routes proposed for the passage of gunboats to...

Scale ca. 1:3,600,000. Shows canals and navigation routes in northeastern United States and southeastern Canada. Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image. LC Civil War maps (2nd... More

Longitudinal section of the "Naugatuck" ; The Stevens iron steam gun-b...

Picryl description: Public domain book scan - American Civil War, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

The United States gunboat INDIANOLA (Ironclad) running the blockade at...

Illus. in: Harper's Weekly, v. 7, (1863 March 7), p. 149. File print in LOT 4416E (1863). Title and other information transcribed from caption card.

The Spanish butchery wood engraving, Library of Congress

American naval response to the Spanish attack on the steamer Virginius during the Cuban Insurrection of 1868-1878. Illus. in: Harper's weekly, 1873 Nov. 29, p. 1061.

[The Imperial Ironclad Frigate Mes'udiye] / Constantinople, Abdullah F...

Public domain image of a sailing ship, caravel, harbor, sea, naval battle, 16th-17th century maritime seascape, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Loss of the steamboat Swallow: while on her trip, from Albany to New-Y...

Currier & Ives : a catalogue raisonné / compiled by Gale Research. Detroit, MI : Gale Research, c1983, no. 4098

Naval Station, Mound City, Illinois during American Civil War

No. 3164. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948. The albumen silver print is a photographic printing process that was widely used in the 19th century. It involves coating paper support with a mixture of egg whites a... More

Bombardment of Island "Number ten" in the Mississippi River: By the gu...

Currier & Ives : a catalogue raisonné / compiled by Gale Research. Detroit, MI : Gale Research, c1983, no. 0666.

Rebel Ram Stonewall, Confederate States of America.

Stereograph showing the Confederate warship "Stonewall." No. 5. Part of series: Views in Washington, D.C. Copyright in 1867 by F. H. Bell. Forms part of: Civil War Photograph Collection (Library of Congress).

[Two steers pulling a battleship on wheels driven by sailor]

(DLC/PP-1932:0042). Forms part of: Cabinet of American illustration (Library of Congress). Published in: Life magazine (April 13).

[The stern cabin of the Imperial Ironclad Frigate Hamidiye] / Constant...

Title translated from album caption. Captioned in Ottoman Turkish and French. No. 7. No. 603. In album: Imperial frigates and naval personnel, Istanbul, Ottoman Empire. Forms part of: Abdul-Hamid II Collection ... More

Attack of the gun boats upon the city, & Castle of San Juan de Ulloa. ...

Print shows the bombardment of Vera Cruz by American warships under the command of Josiah Tattnall Esq. U.S.N.; ships and their commanding officers are identified as "Falcon, Lt. Glasson, Reefen, Lt. Sterett, V... More

United States iron-clad screw ram "Dunderberg"--Designed and construct...

Side view of ship. Public domain scan of American 19th-century print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

On deck of the monitor Lehigh, James River, Virginia

No. B671. Mounted with five other photographs. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948.

Gunboat Tyler, where W.W. Stuart served during the Civil War

Photograph shows timberclad steamer gunboat USS Tyler with crew on deck. Tax stamp on verso. Gift; Tom Liljenquist; 2014; (DLC/PP 2014:202) Forms part of: Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photograph... More

[The Imperial Ironclad Corvette, Feth-i Bülend] / Abdullah Frères, Con...

Public domain image of a sailing ship, caravel, harbor, sea, naval battle, 16th-17th century maritime seascape, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

[The stern hall of the Imperial Ironclad Frigate Mes'udiye] / Constant...

Public domain image of a large historic building, city hall, urban architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

U.S. gunboat Brown - Mississippi River Fleet

Public domain image of an industrial building, factory, structure, works, 19th-20th century industrial revolution, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Knickerbocker schottisch - Public domain American sheet music

From: Music Copyright Deposits, 1820-1860 (Microfilm M 3106) Also available through the Library of Congress Web Site as facsimile page images. (additional physical form) In bound volumes: Copyright Deposits 1820-1860

John A. Andrew to Charles Sumner, Tuesday, April 28, 1863 (Ironclad t...

Public domain scan of manuscript related to Massachusetts, American history, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

U.S. ironclad gunboat Essex - Public domain albumen print photogrpaph

Photo shows the USS Essex, launched in 1856 as the New Era and acquired druing the American Civil War by the US Army in 1861 for the Western Gunboat Flotilla. Transferred to the US Navy in 1862 and participated... More

The smoke stack of the rebel ram Virginia at the Rocketts, Richmond, V...

Stereograph shows the destroyed smoke stack from ironclad ram C.S.S. Virginia II.

U.S. Gun Boat "Seminole" - Public domain document scan of drawing

Broadside view of steamship. Title inscribed below image. Inscribed below title: The "Wabash" is like the "Minnesota" of which you have a drawing. Formerly Waud no. C-44. Gift, J.P. Morgan, 1919 (DLC/PP-1919:R1... More

Gunboat "Mendota", Deep Bottom, James River, Virginia

No. B241. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948. The albumen silver print is a photographic printing process that was widely used in the 19th century. It involves coating paper support with a mixture of egg whites an... More

Views at Fort Darling, Drewry's Bluff, James River, Virginia

No. 4242. Mounted with 5 other photographs showing different views of the same location. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948.

Approaches to Fort Hindman, Arkansas Post, on the Arkansas River : cap...

Annotated in pencil on verso: Approaches to Fort Hindman, Arkansas River, January 11, 1863. Shows Fort Hindman and adjacent areas of the Arkansas River. From the Joseph R. Hawley papers in LC Manuscript Divisio... More

Egypt--the religious ceremonies preliminary to the inauguration of the...

Illus. in: Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper, 1870 Jan. 1, p. 268.

[The artillery practice aboard the Imperial Ironclad Corvette, Necm-i ...

Title translated from album caption. Captioned in Ottoman Turkish and French. No. 4. No. 626. In album: Ships and naval personnel, Istanbul and Black Sea lifesaving stations, Ottoman Empire. Forms part of: Abdu... More

[James River, Virginia Sailors on deck of U.S.S. Monitor; cookstove at...

Photographs of the Federal Navy, and seaborne expeditions against the Atlantic Coast of the Confederacy -- the Federal Navy, 1861-1865.

Camp Volusia or Fort Barnwell on the St. John E.F.

No. 1 in set of 8 "Views of Florida." The State Library and Archives of Florida cites as "Lithographs of events in the Seminole War in Florida in 1835. Issued by T.F. Gray and James of Charleston, S.C., in 1837."

View of the bend in the James river round Farrars Island above Dutch G...

Birdseye view of an ironclad and steamships on the James River. Signed lower right:[?] Title devised from inscription above image. Inscribed above image: This bend is commanded by the Howlett House (Rebel) Batt... More

[The construction of gunboats in İzmit]

Group of soldiers, standing, facing front, wall behind them, another wall and building in background. Title translated from album caption. Captioned in Ottoman Turkish and French. No. 12. No. 67. In album: Ship... More

James River, Virginia. Gunboat MENDOTA - 19th century Virginia.

Public domain historical photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

John Ericsson to S. B. Ruggles, Monday, April 14, 1862 (Ironclad vess...

[James River, Virginia Deck and turret of U.S.S. Monitor seen from the...

Photographs of the Federal Navy, and seaborne expeditions against the Atlantic Coast of the Confederacy -- the Federal Navy, 1861-1865.

U.S. gunboat Tennessee - Mississippi River Fleet

No. 3118. Hand written on mount: "Lt. Comdr. E. P. Lull". Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948.

Map of the Philadelphia & Baltimore Rail Road as located by W. Strickl...

Map of an area between Philadelphia and Baltimore showing drainage, cities and towns, post roads, and boundaries. Chartered in Maryland in May, 1852. [From published bibliography]. Oriented with north toward th... More

View of the U.S. Mail Steamship Company's premises, Aspinwall, N.G.

Colon, Panama Canal Zone. Busy dock activity - railroad mail cars and mail steamships. Copyrighted by F.N. Otis. Photoprint of lithograph by C. Parsons. Sketch by F.N. Otis. This record contains unverified data... More

Fort Darling, Drewry's Bluff, James River, Virginia

No. 4094. Hand written on verso: Miller I, 276. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948.

Map showing the system of Confederate fortifications on the Mississipp...

In lower left margin: Report of Maj. Gen. John Pope to the Committee on the Conduct of War. Similar to the preceding map. LC Civil War maps (2nd ed.), 301 Description derived from published bibliography. Availa... More