The Gunboat - U.S.S. Cairo

Within Vicksburg National Military Park, the gunboat U.S.S. Cairo is the centerpiece off a Museum dedicated to the contribution that the Federalist Navy and gunboats like the Cairo made to the battle of Vicksburg. 

The Cairo was one of several similar iron-clad gunboats built specifically for use on the Mississippi. They were shallow-draft, flat-bottom, wooden structures with iron-clad bow and sides. Their armor was effective against even direct hits from the side but the ships were vulnerable to shells dropped onto their upper deck or torpedos exploded beneath them. On December 12, 1862, the Cairo and several other vessels were on maneuvers in the Yazoo River north of Vicksburg, when the Cairo was hit by two Confederate torpedos. The torpedos were detonated from land by Confederate troops. The Cairo sank in 12 minutes. Fortunately, none of the crew were lost. They were picked up by other vessels in the battle group. 

The sunken remains of the Cairo were discovered and lifted from the bottom of the Yazoo one hundred years later on December 12, 1962. The ship was quite well preserved because it was quickly covered by river silt. The reconstructed hull with boilers and a replica of the paddlewheel are on display at Cairo Museum. The upper part of the ship has been rebuilt; the lower part consists mostly of the original timbers. 

The Museum contains a wealth of artifacts recovered from the ship, including a bottle of ammonia with its contents intact and cooking condiments that were considered still safe to use but of questionable quality.