Bill's Aviation Log

I get my first glance at the restored remains of the USS Cairo.

On 12 December 1862, while clearing mines from the river, preparatory to the attack on Haines Bluff, Cairo struck a "torpedo"(or naval mine) detonated by volunteers hidden behind the river bank and sank in 12 minutes. There were no casualties among the 17 officers and 158 enlisted crew.

Looking aft, at the five long boilers, where water is turned into steam. On top, perpendicular to the boilers, is the steam drum, which collects the steam from the boilers and delivers it to the piston engines.

The boilers were heated with coal -- 2,000 pounds an hour. Hot gases from the fire flowed through tubes running the length of each boiler. Heat from the gases turned water inside the boiler into steam.

Looking forward. They used railroad ties, bent around toward the bow, to armor the ship up forward. Ingenious.

That pyramid-shaped structure at top center is the armored pilothouse, where the pilot steered the gunboat and the officer on duty kept a watchful eye on the river.

Looking at the gunboat's stern. Notice the two wooden rudders, and the two, smaller cannong pointing aft.

The center-mounted paddlewheels are protected by the ship's sides.

Over the years, the gunboat was forgotten and slowly covered by silt and sand. Impacted in mud, Cairo became a time capsule in which her unique, historical artifacts were preserved against corrosion and biological degradation. Her whereabouts became a matter of speculation, as members of the crew had died and local residents were unsure of the location.

Studying Civil War maps, Edwin C. Bearss of Vicksburg National Military Park set out to search for the lost ship using a simple magnetic compass. With the assistance of Don Jacks and Warren Grabau, the ship was found in 1956. In 1960, numerous artifacts were recovered from the ship, including the pilothouse and an 8-inch cannon, both preserved by the Yazoo River mud.

Over many years, the Cairo was raised and eventually in 1980 ended up here, it's final resting place.

April 8, 2024 - USS Cairo, Vicksburg
At the north end of the Vicksburg National Military Park, you descend down the bluff and come to the U.S.S. Cairo exhibit.

I get my first glance at the restored remains of the USS Cairo.

Wow! I had no idea of what to expect, but I was not expecting to see such a massive gunship, brisling with cannon. The Cairo and her six sisters, all named for towns along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, were built by the Union Marine Works shipyard at Carondelet, Missouri. James B. Eads, engineer and shipyard owner, was hired to build the ironclads at an average cost of $102,000 each. The ironclads were built in an amazing 100 days. These new ironclads displaced 888 tons and had steam-driven engines, armor plating, and a top speed of nine mph. They were designed to operate in rivers and shallow coastal waters.

On 12 December 1862, while clearing mines from the river, preparatory to the attack on Haines Bluff, Cairo struck a "torpedo"(or naval mine) detonated by volunteers hidden behind the river bank and sank in 12 minutes. There were no casualties among the 17 officers and 158 enlisted crew.

I was very impressed how they combined the original with a restored portion which really let you see how the ship was put together and looked back in its prime.

This image of the aft half of the ship shows the single, 15-foot wide paddle wheel, internally mounted. The steam-driven, starboard piston and oscillating arm that turn the paddle wheels are visible at right.

The steam-driven port piston and oscillating rod.

Looking aft, at the five long boilers, where water is turned into steam. On top, perpendicular to the boilers, is the steam drum, which collects the steam from the boilers and delivers it to the piston engines.

A close look at the steam drum.

The boilers were heated with coal -- 2,000 pounds an hour. Hot gases from the fire flowed through tubes running the length of each boiler. Heat from the gases turned water inside the boiler into steam.

The far-left boiler still has its firebox doors where the firemen shoveled coal in.

Looking forward, at the three forward-firing cannon. A captain, used to haul up the anchor, is at center right.

The starboard side shows the gunboat's armor: Long, rectangular, 2 1/2" thick interlocking iron plates. Behind the iron plates were white oak planks 12-25 inches thick. When the iron plates took a hit, their wooden backing kept them from shattering. Ironclads like the Cairo came equiped with 13 heavy cannon: four on each side, three up forward and two facing aft. Cannon included 8-inch, smoothbore Dahlgren guns, fairly modern for the time, plus 42-pound Army rifle, and 32-pound Navy smoothbore. It took a crew of six men to position and fire each gun.

Looking forward. They used railroad ties, bent around toward the bow, to armor the ship up forward. Ingenious. That pyramid-shaped structure at top center is the armored pilothouse, where the pilot steered the gunboat and the officer on duty kept a watchful eye on the river.

Close-up of the steel plate.

Looking at the gunboat's stern. Notice the two wooden rudders, and the two, smaller cannong pointing aft. The center-mounted paddlewheels are protected by the ship's sides. Over the years, the gunboat was forgotten and slowly covered by silt and sand. Impacted in mud, Cairo became a time capsule in which her unique, historical artifacts were preserved against corrosion and biological degradation. Her whereabouts became a matter of speculation, as members of the crew had died and local residents were unsure of the location. Studying Civil War maps, Edwin C. Bearss of Vicksburg National Military Park set out to search for the lost ship using a simple magnetic compass. With the assistance of Don Jacks and Warren Grabau, the ship was found in 1956. In 1960, numerous artifacts were recovered from the ship, including the pilothouse and an 8-inch cannon, both preserved by the Yazoo River mud. Over many years, the Cairo was raised and eventually in 1980 ended up here, it's final resting place.

A closer-look at one of the rudders, crudely made out of wood posts banded together.

Looking up the port side of the gunboat. Officer quarters were on the gundeck on each side of the paddlewheel. Here they escaped the heat from the fireroom and boilers. The Captain's quarters were directly behind the paddlewheel.

The Cairo's stern from a side angle. One of the mines must have exploded here. The recovery of artifacts from Cairo revealed a treasure trove of weapons, ammunition, naval stores, and personal gear of the sailors who served on board. The gunboat and its artifacts can now be seen along the tour road at the USS Cairo Museum. Unfortunately, the USS Cairo Museum was closed today, but at least I got to see the gunboat, which I greatly enjoyed. Great exhibit.


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April 8, 2024 - USS Cairo, Vicksburg