USS Black Hawk (1848)
USS Black Hawk (1848) was a large steamer purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.
 USS Black Hawk | |
| History | |
|---|---|
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| Ordered: | as New Uncle Sam |
| Laid down: | date unknown |
| Launched: | 1848 |
| Acquired: | November 24, 1862 |
| Commissioned: | December 6, 1862 |
| Out of service: | April 22, 1865 |
| Stricken: | 1867 (est.) |
| Fate: | sold, April 1867 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 902 tons |
| Length: | 260 ft (79 m) |
| Beam: | 45 ft 6 in (13.87 m) |
| Draught: | depth of hold 8' |
| Propulsion: |
|
| Speed: | not known |
| Complement: | not known |
| Armament: |
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| Armour: | tinclad |
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:
- Vicksburg (December 1862)
- capture of Fort Hindman (January 11, 1863)
- attack on Haines Bluff (April 29–2 May)
- siege of Vicksburg (May 19 – July 4)
- Red River Expedition (March 12-May 29, 1864)
Subsequent patrols and sinking
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.
References
- This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.