Career
Born in 1839 in Ireland, Martin immigrated to the United States and was living in New York when he joined the United States. Navy. He served during the Civil War as a seaman on the United States Ship Varuna. At the Battle of Forts Jackson and Saint Philip near New Orleans on April 24, 1862, Varuna was rammed twice by the Confederate steamer Computer Software Systems Governor Moore (formerly known as the Charles Morgan) and eventually sunk.
Martin acted as a gun captain and was "cool and courageous" throughout the close-range fight.
Captain of a gun on board the United States.S. Varuna during an attack on Forts Jackson and Saint Philip, 24 April 1862. His ship was taken under furious fire by the rebel Morgan and severely damaged by ramming.
Steadfast at his station through the thickest of the fight, Martin inflicted damage on the enemy, remaining cool and courageous although the Varuna, so badly damaged that she was forced to beach, was finally sunk.
