U.S.S. Cairo Ironclad, Vicksburg, Warren County, MS

STORED OFF SITE AND ON SITE. mchr

Significance: Built by James B. Eads for use on western rivers, Cairo was commissioned in January 1862 and was one of seven City Class ironclad gunboats, all of a uniform design, employed the U.S. Navy. Propelled by a recessed paddle wheel, USS Cairo was designed with a shallow draft that enabled it to maneuver effectively in the changing conditions of the Mississippi River system. After participating in attacks on Fort Pillow and aiding in the defeat of Confederate gunboats off Memphis, Cairo took part in the Yazoo River Expedition. On December 12, 1862, the ironclad struck an underwater mine near Blake's Levee and sank in twelve minutes. Cairo's remains were raised and salvaged in 1964, repaired and preserved by the National Park Service in 1970s, and are currently on display at Vicksburg National Military Park.

Survey number: HAER MS-7

Building/structure dates: 1862 Initial Construction

Building/structure dates: 1862 Demolished

Building/structure dates: 1964 Subsequent Work

Building/structure dates: after. 1970- before. 1979 Subsequent Work

government vessels maritime gunboats arms and armament war civil war military organizations mississippi cairo vicksburg warren warren county ironclad civil war american history american civil war uss ships united states navy united states ships us navy todd croteau paul davidson james b eads historic american engineering record historic preservation training center elizabeth joyner ryan pierce vicksburg national military park tom vitanza ashley walker photo cairo ironclad navy us navy ships armored vessels river system library of congress

1969 - 1980

Library of Congress

http://www.loc.gov/

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