USS Black Hawk (1848)

USS Black Hawk (1848) was a large steamer purchased by the Union Navy during the American Civil War.

She was assigned by the Union Navy to gunship 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, 24 November 1862 as New Uncle Sam; commissioned 6 December 1862, Lieutenant Commander K. R. Breese in command; and renamed Black Hawk 13 December 1862.

Civil War service
During most of her service Black Hawk served as flagship for Rear Admirals David Dixon Porter and Samuel Phillips Lee, successive commanders of the Mississippi Squadron.

She participated in the following operations:


 * Vicksburg, Mississippi (December 1862)


 * capture of Fort Hindman, Arkansas (11 January 1863)


 * attack on Haines Bluff, Mississippi (29 April-2 May)


 * siege of Vicksburg (19 May-4 July)


 * Red river Expedition (12 March-29 May 1864)

Subsequent patrols and sinking


Thereafter she patrolled in the Mississippi River and its tributaries. On 22 April 1865 she accidentally burned and sank, three miles above Cairo, Illinois. Her wreck was raised and sold at St. Louis, Missouri, in April 1867.