Our naval loss at the battle on the Lower Mississippi was but two boats, the Varuna and Maria J. Carlton.
The Varuna was a new vessel mounting twelve 32-pounders and two rifled pivot-guns. She was built at the Westervelt Yard in this City, and is commanded by Commander J.L. BAGGS, a native of New-Jersey, and formerly in command of the mail steamship Illinois. The Varuna bad a crew of 148 men.
The Maria J. Carlton was a schooner of 178 tons, built of white oak and chestnut, in 1856, in East Haddam, Conn., and run formerly as a packet between Boston and this City. She was purchased by the Government last Fall, and altered into a mortarboat, at SECOR's ship-yard. When the Maria J. Carlton left this port, she was officered as follows:
C.E. JACK, Acting Master Commanding; D.F. O'BRIEN, T.B. JOHNSON and A. ADLER, Acting Master's Mates.
Before entering the navy, Capt. JACK was engaged in the ship brokerage business, in this City.