Vicksburg National Military Park in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

Torpedoed & Sunk

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

1. Torpedoed & Sunk Marker

Inscription. On December 12, 1862, Cairo was part of a mine-clearing expedition on the Yazoo River. Her commander, hearing small arms fire coming from up ahead, steamed around the rest of the boats and into unexplored waters. Suddenly, explosions tore holes in the boat-including the one you see in front of you. It sank quickly in 36 feet of water. No lives were lost and the crew was recovered by nearby vessels.

What sank the USS Cairo? Some historians believe Confederates, lying in wait along the riverbank, detonated the mines (called torpedoes in the Civil War) electrically. Other experts think the underwater mines were strung on a line across the channel. When the Cairo hit the line, her forward motion pulled the torpedoes against the side of the boat where they detonated.

Raised Map:
Cairo was 16 miles up the Yazoo River when she hit Confederate mines.

Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is December 12, 1862.

Location. 32° 22.538′ N, 90° 52.006′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren

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County. Marker can be reached from Union Avenue. Located across from the Cairo Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Union Avenue, Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Sinking of Cairo (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Cairo (here, next to this marker); Seven Ironclads in 100 Days (here, next to this marker); Capstan - USS Cairo (a few steps from this marker); A Crew of Immigrants (a few steps from this marker); A Ton an Hour - USS Cairo (a few steps from this marker); Pilothouse - USS Cairo (a few steps from this marker); Chimneys - USS Cairo (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg National Military Park.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the USS Cairo.. (Submitted on October 31, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Torpedoed & Sunk Marker with raised USS <i>Cairo</i> in background. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

2. Torpedoed & Sunk Marker with raised USS Cairo in background.

The USS <i>Cairo</i> in the Mississippi River. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton

3. The USS Cairo in the Mississippi River.

USS Cairo 1862 photographed in the Mississippi River area during 1862, with a boat alongside her port bow, crewmen on deck and other river steamers in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2017. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 253 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.