CSS Grand Duke, a steamer built at Jeffersonville, Indiana in 1859, was outfitted as a cotton-clad gunboat for service with the Confederate States Army in February 1863.

Grand Duke transported troops to Fort Taylor, Louisiana late in February 1863.

Her speed, turning power, and superior piloting allowed Grand Duke to escape up river.

On May 4, 1863 Grand Duke and Mary T. were taking on guns, ordnance stores, and other public property prior to the evacuation of Fort DeRussy when a Union reconnaissance force that included USS Albatross, Estrella, and Arizona hove into view.

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.