James Barnes, author of David G. Farragut, Naval Actions of 1812, Yank ee Ships and Yankee Sailors, Commodore Bainbridge , The Blockaders, and other naval and historical works, The Photographic History of The Civil War: in ten volumes, Thousands of Scenes Photographed 1861-65, with Text by many Special Authorities, Volume 6: The Navy.
Francis Trevelyan Miller, Ed.

The “Wabash”

Here are two groups taken on board the “Wabash,” which took part in the first real expedition of the navy — to Hatteras. In the lower picture appears the pivot-gun, one of the largest that at that time was fired from the deck of any vessel — a 200-pounder Parrott rifle. The crew are not at quarters, but the condition of the gun shows it was the pet of the forward watch. This gun was on the topgallant forecastle, and had a sweep in every direction except directly aft. At Fort Fisher this gun's crew showed magnificent practice, as they had at Fort Walker, the first engagement at which the big gun had been fired. In the upper picture the little vine growing out of the flower-pot is an evidence of the sailor's desire to make a cabin as much of a home as is possible.

Du Pont and officers on the “Wabash”

The forward pivot-gun