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

U.S.S. Cairo Engine and Boilers

National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark

— 1862 —

U.S.S. Cairo Engine and Boilers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

1. U.S.S. Cairo Engine and Boilers Marker

Inscription. The Cairo is the sole survivor of the fleet of river gunboats built by the Union during the Civil War with the object of controlling the lower Mississippi River. Designed by Samuel Pook and built by James B. Eads, the 175-foot ironclad vessel had 13 guns.

The propulsion system is the only known early example of the widely used "Western Rivers" steamboat engine, characterized by multiple fire-tube boilers with shared steam and mud drums and a two-cylinder noncondensing engine having a small bore, long stroke, and poppet valves. This engine was designed by A.T. Merritt. With a 22-inch bore and 6-foot stroke, it developed about 800 horsepower and drove a sheltered paddlewheel of 22-foot diameter and 15-foor width.

Erected 1990 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks series list.

Location. 32° 22.551′ N, 90° 51.993′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker can be reached from Union Avenue. Located near the USS Cairo Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Full Steam Ahead! (here, next to this marker); Wheelhouse - USS Cairo (here, next to this marker); The Skylights (here, next to this marker); Chimneys - USS Cairo (a few steps from this marker); The USS Cairo (a few steps from this marker); Pilothouse - 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). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vicksburg National Military Park.

U.S.S. Cairo steam drum and boilers. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

2. U.S.S. Cairo steam drum and boilers.

Marker and 22-foot enclosed paddlewheel. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

3. Marker and 22-foot enclosed paddlewheel.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 539 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.