The U.S.S. Cairo was one of seven ironclad gunboats named in honor of towns along the upper Mississippi and Ohio rivers. These powerful ironclads were formidable vessels, each mounting thirteen big guns (cannon). On them rested in large part, Northern hopes to regain control of the lower Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two.
The "city class" gunboats were designed by Samuel M. Pook and built by river engineer James B. Eads. Cairo was constructed at Mound City, Illinois, and commissioned in January 1862. The Cairo was destined to see only limited action in the engagement at Plum Point in May and in the battle of Memphis in June. Her most significant action came six months later when she kept a rendezvous with destiny.
USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum is not affiliated with AmericanTowns Media
Arnold Palmer famously called the game of golf "rewarding and maddening ... [and] the greatest game mankind has ever invented." Whether it's your first time hitting the course or you're on the green… Read More
If your favorite part of eating out is perusing the dessert menu, we’ve got just the thing for you. Decadent desserts are a Southern tradition, and there are so many great options around the… Read More
There's just something about Mississippi that means great music. After all, Robert Johnson, B.B. King, Elvis, Faith Hill, and Jimmy Buffett have all called Mississippi home. That makes our state a… Read More
A bagel is the perfect breakfast food. It's comforting and convenient and can be enjoyed plain, loaded with cream cheese and jam, or made into a sandwich. Whichever bagels you favor, these are the 5… Read More
Once in a while, every couple must escape to spend a little time together in an idyllic setting. These popular resorts in Mississippi offer everything from golf and glitzy casinos to Old South… Read More