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USS Cairo Naval Museum: A Civil War Ironclad Time Capsule

Explore a Civil War ironclad and thousands of artifacts at Vicksburg National Military Park's USS Cairo Naval Museum.

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The USS Cairo Naval Museum in Vicksburg National Military Park displays the salvaged remains of the USS Cairo, a Union ironclad sunk in 1862, along with thousands of well-preserved artifacts offering a glimpse into Civil War naval life.

A brief summary to USS Cairo Naval Museum National Park

Local tips

  • Visit on a weekday to avoid larger crowds.
  • Take a guided tour for deeper insights into the history of the USS Cairo.
  • Explore the rest of Vicksburg National Military Park to get a complete historical experience.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    If driving within Vicksburg National Military Park, follow Confederate Avenue south. From the Visitor Center, turn right onto Clay Street, then left onto Confederate Avenue. Continue for about 1 mile; the museum will be on your left. Parking is free. Note that there is a park entrance fee of $20 per vehicle.

  • Walking

    From the Vicksburg National Military Park Visitor Center at 3201 Clay St, walk south on Confederate Avenue for about 1.5 miles (approximately 30 minutes). The USS Cairo Naval Museum will be on your left, next to the Vicksburg National Cemetery. Be aware that North Union Avenue and Grant Circle are closed to pedestrian traffic due to repairs.

  • Public Transport

    Public transportation options are limited. Vicksburg Area Transit System (N-Route) provides public transportation in Vicksburg. Contact them at (601) 636-1053 for schedules and routes. As an alternative, use a taxi or rideshare service from downtown Vicksburg. Provide the address '3201 Clay St, Vicksburg, MS 39183'. Expect fares to vary.

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Discover more about USS Cairo Naval Museum National Park

The USS Cairo Naval Museum, located within Vicksburg National Military Park, presents a unique window into Civil War naval history. The museum's centerpiece is the USS Cairo, a City-class ironclad gunboat commissioned in January 1862. Named after Cairo, Illinois, it was one of seven such vessels designed to control the Mississippi River and divide the Confederacy. The Cairo's career was short-lived. On December 12, 1862, while clearing mines in the Yazoo River, it became the first warship in history to be sunk by an electrically detonated torpedo (mine). The ship quickly sank in 12 minutes, but with no loss of life. For over a century, the Cairo rested in the muddy depths, becoming a time capsule that preserved a wealth of artifacts. In the mid-1950s, Edwin C. Bearss, a park historian, began searching for the lost gunboat, eventually locating it. The recovery operation was challenging, and the ship was raised in three sections. Today, visitors can see the partially reconstructed Cairo and explore thousands of recovered artifacts, including weapons, naval stores, and personal items. The museum provides insights into the ship's construction, its missions, and the daily lives of its crew.

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