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

Seven Ironclads in 100 Days

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

1. Seven Ironclads in 100 Days Marker

Inscription. Meet the deadline or pay $200 a day. James Eads had agreed to these terms for the construction of seven new ironclads. To speed production, a partner shipyard built three of the boats, including the one in front of you. Eads' shipyard built the other four boats. All seven boats were delivered 100 days later.

The USS Cairo and her six sister boats were all named for towns along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Unlike wooden sailing ships used at the beginning of the Civil War, these new ironclads had steam driven engines, armor plating, 13 cannon, and a top speed of nine miles per hour.

[Photo captions]
Top right: Ironclads were the backbone of the brown-water navy, a fleet designed to operate in rivers and shallow coastal waters.
Bottom left: James B. Eads, engineer and shipyard owner, was hired to build the ironclads at an average cost of $101,808 each.
Bottom right: Ironclads under construction in the Union Marine Works shipyard at Carondelet, Missouri.

Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 32° 22.536′

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N, 90° 52.008′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg National Military Park, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker can be reached from Union Avenue. Located across from the Cairo Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Torpedoed & Sunk (here, next to this marker); U.S.S. Cairo (a few steps from this marker); The Sinking of Cairo (a few steps from 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.

Seven Ironclads in 100 Days Marker at the raised USS <i>Cairo.</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

2. Seven Ironclads in 100 Days Marker at the raised USS Cairo.

The "other 6" Ironclads located nearby. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

3. The "other 6" Ironclads located nearby.

James Buchanan Eads image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, October 25, 2017

4. James Buchanan Eads

Taken inside the Cairo Museum nearby.

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 376 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 31, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.