Red Rover was originally built as a commercial steamer at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in 1859.  Following Confederate service in 1861 and early 1862, she was captured by Federal river forces in April 1862.  She became a Federal hospital ship in June 1862 and continued to serve in that role throughout the remainder of the Civil War.   Her medical staff included the first female nurses (from the Sisters of the Holy Cross) to serve on board a U.S. Navy ship.

Red Rover provided treatment and transportation for wounded men, and also provided medical supplies to the Federal steamers operating on rivers in the western theater.  She was decommissioned in November 1865.

Specifications of Red Rover:

Displacement: 786 tons
Length: 256 feet
Draft: 8 feet

  Federal Warships

Last update:  December 6, 2001