USS Diana, a 239-ton gunboat, was built in 1858 at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, as a civilian side-wheel steamship. She was captured at New Orleans, Louisiana, in April 1862 and employed by the U.S. Army as a transport for the next several months. In November of that year Diana was transferred to the Navy. Early in that month, and on 14 January 1863, she took part in engagements with the Confederates at Brashear City and Bayou Teche, Louisiana. While operating on Grand Lake, Louisiana, on 28 March 1863, Diana was captured. She was destroyed by Federal forces a few weeks later.

This page features the only view we have concerning USS Diana.

Photo #: NH 58767 "The Fight at Corney's Bridge, Bayou Teche, Louisiana, and Destruction of the Rebel Gun-boat 'Cotton,', January 14, 1863." Line engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 1863, showing the Confederate gunboat J.A. Cotton engaging Federal gunboats, as Confederate troops fire from the shore. U.S. Navy ships in this engagement were Kinsman, Estrella, Diana and Calhoun.