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

U.S.S. Cairo

Engine and Boilers, 1862

— National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark —

U.S.S. <i>Cairo</i> Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 7, 2010

1. U.S.S. Cairo 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 non-condensing 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 600 horsepower and drove a sheltered paddlewheel of 22-foot diameter and 15-foot width.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers - 1990

Erected 1990 by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1990.

Location. 32° 22.537′ N, 90° 52.003′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker can

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

be reached from Given Hill Road north of Union Avenue. Marker is on the fence at the port (east) side of the U.S.S. Cairo, west of the Cairo Museum building. The Museum parking area is in the northwest corner of the Vicksburg National Military Park, across Given Hill Road from the Vicksburg National Cemetery. Given Hill Road is generally accessed via the Park's tour roads from its Clay Street entrance off I-20/U.S 80. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vicksburg MS 39180, 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); Torpedoed & Sunk (here, next to this marker); Seven Ironclads in 100 Days (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); Chimneys - USS Cairo (a few steps from this marker); Pilothouse - USS Cairo (a few steps from this marker).

Also see . . .
1. National Park Service - USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum. (Submitted on September 20, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
2. U.S.S. Cairo. (Submitted on September 20, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)

Additional keywords.

The restored gunboat, U.S.S. <i>Cairo</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 7, 2010

2. The restored gunboat, U.S.S. Cairo

Note the damage to the wooden hull at the bow, portside - the result of the mine ("torpedo") explosion that sank the ship in 1862. Except for the simulated smoke stacks, all of the visible structures are original or authentic material.

U.S. Navy; Western River Squad U.S.S. Cairo

Interpertive panel explaining how <i>Cairo</i> was sunk, 12 December 1862 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 7, 2010

3. Interpertive panel explaining how Cairo was sunk, 12 December 1862

U.S.S. <i>Cairo</i> image. Click for full size.

1862

4. U.S.S. Cairo

from the U.S. Naval Historical Center archives.

Interpretive panel : "The Armor" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 7, 2010

5. Interpretive panel : "The Armor"

U.S.S. <i>Cairo</i> - view of her restored gun deck image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 7, 2010

6. U.S.S. Cairo - view of her restored gun deck

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,241 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 20, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.