USS Maria Denning was a steamer acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

Sidewheel steamer Maria Denning, built at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1858, was purchased by the Navy in 1861 for service as a transport, Comdr.

Destined to carry provisions and stores, Maria Denning arrived at Cairo, Illinois, from St. Louis, Missouri, 26 November 1861, having dispersed two to four hundred Confederate cavalry at Price’s Landing en route.

She was used as receiving ship at Cairo from 3 November 1861 to 1 April 1862, and protected Fort Holt from night attack by Confederate gunboats early in December 1861.

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