CSS ''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.

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Gunboats of the Confederate States Navy Ships built in New Orleans Shipwrecks of the American Civil War 1862 ships Maritime incidents in April 1862 Scuttled vessels {{AmericanCivilWar-ship-stub