From: DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL FIGHTING SHIPS, Vol. I, pp. 128.

Black Hawk (1767-1838) was the chief of the Sac and Fox Indians who was defeated in the Black Hawk War of 1832.

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(SwStr: T. 902; l. 260'; b. 45'6"; dph. 8'; a. 4 32-pdr. S. B., 2 30 pdr. R., 1 12-pdr. R., 1 12-pdr. S. B.)

Black Hawk, a side-wheel river steamer, was built in 1848 as Uncle Sam at New Albany, Ind.; purchased by the Navy at Cairo, Ill., 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.

During most of her service Black Hawk served as flagship for Rear Admirals D. D. Porter and S. P. Lee, successive commanders of the Mississippi Squadron. She participated in the operations around Vicksburg, Miss. (December 1862); capture of Fort Hindman, Ark. (11 January 1863), attack on Haines Bluff, Miss. (29 April-2 May), siege of Vicksburg (19 May-4 July), and the Red River Expedition (12 March-29 May 1864). Thereafter she patrolled in the Mississippi River and its tributaries. On 22 April 1865 she accidentall y burned and sank, three miles above Cairo. Her wreck was raised and sold at St. Louis in April 1867.