Cairo, constructed at Mound City, Illinois, was commissioned in January 1862, one of a highly successful class of seven ironclads developed by St. Louis engineer James Eads.  Her early career included patrol duty in support of the Federal occupation of Clarksville and Nashville on the Cumberland River.  On the Mississippi River, she was present during the engagement near Fort Pillow in May 1862 and participated in the major naval battle of Memphis in June 1862.

Cairo's later career took place outside of Tennessee, primarily in Mississippi.  She struck a Confederate mine (known as a "torpedo" during the Civil War) in the Yazoo River and sank on December 12, 1862.

She was recovered in 1965, and (despite severe damage incurred during the salvage effort) was restored and placed on exhibit in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Specifications of USS Cairo:

Displacement: 888 tons (full load)
Tonnage: 512
Length: 175 feet
Beam: 51 feet 2 inches
Draft: 6 feet
Armament: 3 42-pounder Army rifles; 3 8-inch 64-pounder Navy smooth bores; 6 32-pounder Navy smooth bores; 1 30-pounder Parrott
Crew: 175
Power: two coal-powered steam engines driving one 22 foot paddle wheel
Speed: 6 knots

  Federal Warships

Last update:  December 6, 2001