U.S.S. Cairo Museum, Mississippi, United States

5NemoTraveler 5:00 PM Dec 11, 2022

Gunboat museum
The USS Cairo is located in the Vicksburg National Military Park. The gunboat dates from 1862 and was sunk the same year on the Yazoo River north of Vicksburg. The ironclad was partially reconstructed in 1977 and is now on show in the Park. There is also a special museum about the gunboat, but unfortunately it was closed on the day we visited. The ironclad itself is located outside the Cairo Museum and can be seen when the Park is open and it is also possible to get onboard to have a closer look at the boat.

5goseedo 5:00 PM Jan 25, 2022

Another Part of the Vicksburg Siege Story
On your visit to the Military Park, make sure to stop and view the USS Cairo, among the first (American) iron-clad warships, commissioned at the beginning of the Civil War. This gun boat was sunk by the Confederates during the Siege of Vicksburg, but was retrieved from the River 100 years later, along with many Civil War artifacts which are on display in the museum (which will hopefully re-open soon, as it's been closed due to covid). The ship is available for viewing as it is outside and under a protective cover. For those who can't venture to Vicksburg, there is a virtual tour of the USS Cairo at the NPS website.