Bienville
(SwStr: a. 5 guns; cl. Bienville)
Bienville was a light draft steamer "substantially built" of yellow pine and white oak under contract by John Hughes and Co., at Bayou St. John, La., in 1861-62. Collaborating and inspecting for the Government in the Hughes yard was S. D. Porter, Acting Constructor, CSN. She was launched in February 1862 and delivered on 5 April. Her commanding officer was Lt. C. B. Poindexter, CSN. On 21 April 1862, as the battle of New Orleans impended, Bienville was still without a crew, consequently her officers were obliged to destroy her in Lake Pontchartrain to prevent capture.
