| History | |
|---|---|
 Confederate States | |
| Name | General Polk |
| Namesake | Leonidas Polk |
| Builder | New Albany, Indiana |
| Launched | 1852 |
| Acquired | 1861 |
| Commissioned | October 22, 1861 |
| Fate | Burned to prevent capture, June 26, 1862 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Sidewheel steamer |
| Tonnage | 390 tons |
| Length | 280 ft (85.3 m) |
| Beam | 35 ft (10.7 m) |
| Draught | Less than 4 ft (1.2 m) |
| Armament |
|
| Armour | Iron bars on bow and stern |
CSS General Polk was a sidewheel steamer used as a warship by the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War. Launched in 1852 at New Albany, Indiana, as Ed Howard, the vessel was originally a packet steamer between Nashville, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana. After the outbreak of the war, the Confederate government purchased her for $8,000. She was commissioned into military service on October 22, 1861, and sent to Columbus, Kentucky the following month. On January 11, 1862, General Polk participated in the Battle of Lucas Bend. After the Confederates abandoned Columbus, General Polk served in the Island No. 10 and New Madrid, Missouri, area, until those positions as well fell. She was then stationed at Fort Pillow and Memphis, Tennessee, before withdrawing up the Yazoo River. On June 26, General Polk was burned at Liverpool Landing, Mississippi, along with two other Confederate ships, to prevent their capture by Union forces.