USS Black Hawk ( MHC - 58 ) USS " Black Hawk " ( MHC - 58 ) was the eighth ship of " Osprey " - class coastal mine hunters . She was commissioned 11 May 1996 and decommissioned 1 December 2007 . As of December 2007 , she is laid up in the Beaumont Reserve Fleet , Beaumont , Texas , awaiting disposal . " Black Hawk " was of the MHC 51 class of ships , which are the world ' s largest glass reinforced plastic ( GRP ) ships and the first U . S . Navy ships designed solely for mine hunting ; the technique of locating mines with sonar and neutralizing them with a remotely controlled underwater vehicle or divers . The ship ' s mission was to clear harbor , coastal , and ocean waters of acoustic , magnetic and pressure / contact type mines utilizing reconnaissance , classification and neutralization tactics . Exceptionally low magnetic and acoustic signatures protect the ship against detonations during mine hunting operations . " Black Hawk " ( MHC 58 ) was the eighth ship in the U . S . MHC 51 ( Osprey ) Class Coastal Minehunter Program and the third U . S . Navy ship to bear that name . " Black Hawk " ' s keel was laid on September 3 , 1992 and her christening and launching was on August 27 , 1994 at Intermarine USA Corporation , Savannah , Georgia . USS " Black Hawk " ( MHC 58 ) was commissioned in ceremonies held on May 11 , 1996 , at Pier Two at the Naval Education Training Center , Newport , R . I . Ship ' s Shield and Crest . The ship ' s shield is dark blue and gold which are the colors traditionally used by the Navy to reflect the sea and excellence . Black is indicative of strength and stability . Blue denotes loyalty and devotion . White is emblematic of integrity and is symbolic of sea foam and breakers . The two mines recall the two previous ships of the same name and underscore the " Black Hawk " ' s mine hunting capabilities . The stylized paddlewheel is reminiscent of the first " Black Hawk " ( a sidewheel steamer which served as flag ship for Rear Admiral D . D . Porter and S . P . Lee , successive commander of the Mississippi Squadron ) . The paddle wheel further simulates a maritime compass suggesting leadership , guidance and alludes to navigation and the far reaching scope and mission of the past and present USS " Black Hawk " . The annulets incorporated into the paddle wheel suggest continual efforts . The paddle wheel , together with the two mines , symbolize the three ships bearing the name Black Hawk . On the ship ' s crest , the waves of the sea denote the coastal waters , harbors , waterways and Navy theater of operations . The stylized black hawk reflects the continuous aggressiveness of the Black Hawk and its crew in carrying out their mission of minehunting , fueling , repairing and keeping combatant vessels in fighting trim . The name Black Hawk was derived from Indian Chief Black Hawk mentioned in history as the leader of the Sac & Fox tribes during the Black Hawk War . The star on the hawk ' s wing is commemorative of the battle star received by the second " Black Hawk " for her service in World War II . Previous Namesakes . Two previous U . S . Navy ships have borne the name " Black Hawk " . The first " Black Hawk " was a side - wheeler river steamer that served as flagship of the Mississippi Squadron from December 1862 through May 1964 . On 22 April 1865 , She burned and sank . Her wreck was raised and sold in April 1867 . The second " Black Hawk " was commissioned 16 May 1918 , and assigned as tender and flagship to the Mine Force in Inverness , Scotland from June 1918 until the end of World War I , when her base was shifted to the North Sea . She was designated a destroyer tender in November 1920 and she tended destroyer squadrons until 1942 . She was decommissioned 15 August 1946 . " Black Hawk " received one battle star for her service in World War II .