Orvetta I (Schooner)
(Sch: t. 199; l. 93-; b. 27'2"; dph. 7'10"; s. 11 k.; cpl. 37; a. 2 32-pdrs., 1 13" in., 2 heavy 12-pdr. sb.)
A merchant name.
I
Orvetta was purchased by the Navy at New York 1 October 1861 from E. & D. Bigelow, agents; and commissioned at New York Navy Yard 27 January 1862, Acting Master Francis E. Blanchard in command.
One of 21 schooners fitted out with mortars for a bomb flotilla organized by Comdr. David Dixon Porter to support Flag Officer Farragut's deep draft ships in their attack on New Orleans, Orvetta sailed down the Atlantic coast, across the Gulf of Mexico, and into the Mississippi through Pass a I'Outre below Forts St. Philip and Jackson, 18 April 1862. Orvetta and her sister schooners opened fire and maintained the barrage on the Confederate fortifications until the 24th when Farragut's salt water ships passed the forts. The next day New Orleans surrendered.
The schooner subsequently supported operations in the Mississippi, especially against Vicksburg and served in the Gulf. After the war she decommissioned at New York 3 July 1865 and was sold at auction there to a Mr. Henseman 15 August 1865.
