USS Black Hawk (1848)


USS Black Hawk was a large steamer purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.
She was assigned by the Union Navy to gunboat duty in the waterways of the rebellious Confederate States of America.

Built as ''New Uncle Sam'' at New Albany, Indiana, in 1848

Black Hawk, a side-wheel river steamer, was built in 1848 as Uncle Sam at New Albany, Indiana; purchased by the Navy at Cairo, Illinois, November 24, 1862 as New Uncle Sam; commissioned December 6, 1862, Lieutenant Commander K. R. Breese in command; and renamed Black Hawk December 13, 1862.

Civil War service

During most of her service Black Hawk served as flagship for Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter, Captain Alexander Mosely Pennock and Rear Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee, successive commanders of the Mississippi Squadron.
She participated in the following operations:
Thereafter she patrolled in the Mississippi River and its tributaries. On April 22, 1865 she accidentally burned and sank, three miles above Cairo, Illinois. Her wreck was raised and sold at St. Louis, Missouri, in April 1867.