The USS Black Hawk was a large side-wheel river steamer built in 1848 in New Albany, Indiana, originally named Uncle Sam. The vessel was acquired by the Union Navy on November 24, 1862, at Cairo, Illinois, where she was purchased as New Uncle Sam. She was commissioned on December 6, 1862, under the command of Lieutenant Commander K. R. Breese, and was subsequently renamed Black Hawk on December 13, 1862. As a side-wheel steamer, Black Hawk was primarily used as a gunboat in the waterways of the Confederate States during the American Civil War. She served as the flagship for several commanders of the Mississippi Squadron, including Rear Admirals David Dixon Porter, Samuel Phillips Lee, and Captain Alexander Mosely Pennock, highlighting her importance within Union riverine operations. Black Hawk played a significant role in the Vicksburg campaign beginning in December 1862, supporting Union forces during key battles such as the Battle of Arkansas Post on January 11, 1863, and operations off Haines Bluff from April 29 to May 2. Her most notable contribution was during the Siege of Vicksburg, which started on May 19 and concluded on July 4, 1863, a pivotal event in gaining control of the Mississippi River for the Union. She also participated in the Red River Expedition from March 12 to May 29, 1864. Throughout her service, Black Hawk was actively patrolling the Mississippi River and its tributaries, supporting Union military efforts along these vital waterways. Her service ended when she accidentally burned and sank on April 22, 1865, three miles above Cairo. Her wreck was later raised and sold in St. Louis, Missouri, in April 1867. The USS Black Hawk’s operational history underscores her significance as a key riverine vessel in the Union’s Civil War strategy and its control of the Mississippi River.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.