Home   Ships   Weapons   Shipyards   Newsletters   Forums   Contact  Awards  

CSS McRae, a 680-ton screw gunboat, was formerly the Mexican Marquis de la Habana. Captured in 1860 by the U.S. Navy as a suspected pirate, she was purchased by the Confederate Government a year later and placed in service to help defend New Orleans. Under the command of Lieutenant Thomas B. Huger, McRae protected blockade runners as they left and arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi and took part in an engagement with Federal blockaders on 12 October 1861. During the 24 April 1862 naval battle near Forts Jackson and Saint Philip, she gave a good account of herself, but was badly damaged and her commander mortally wounded. Sent to New Orleans under flag of truce on 27 April, CSS McRae sank after her arrival there.

Home   Ships   Weapons   Shipyards   Newsletters   Forums   Contact   Awards 

Site owned and operated by CSA Media       Copyright 2005