 He was always interested in new ideas, and was quick to recognize the revolutionary impact of steam on naval warfare.Verninac was appointed under-secretary of state for the Navy and Colonies on 6 June 1848, and Minister of the Navy and Colonies from 17 July to 20 December 1848 in the cabinet headed by General Louis-Eugène Cavaignac.He became a deputy for Lot in July 1848.