USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum

Imagine a unique opportunity to touch a genuine naval legend — the ironclad USS Cairo. Located in the city of Vicksburg, this historic site is one of seven City-class gunboats that once patrolled the Mississippi River. Today, it is not just a monument, but an impressive museum complex in the USA, where the history of a heroic past is preserved in both an open-air setting and a specially built pavilion.

The museum's standout feature is that the ship itself was raised from the riverbed after spending more than a century submerged in silt. The river environment acted as a perfect preservative: thanks to this, visitors can see the vessel's original wooden and metal components. The museum building, skillfully built into the hillside and shaped like a ship, houses more than 1,200 artifacts that were found inside the gunboat during its recovery.

This site is considered a must-visit for anyone interested in 19th-century military engineering. Here, you can see firsthand what shallow-water warships looked like and experience the atmosphere of sailors' lives from that era. The scale of the restoration is astounding, making the USS Cairo one of Mississippi's most significant landmarks.

To plan your visit to this unique historical complex, please use the following contact information:

The main highlight awaiting you at the museum is the opportunity to step aboard the restored ironclad. You can walk its decks and closely examine the torpedo hole on the port side — the very damage that sent the vessel to the bottom. Be sure to notice the massive 8-inch gun and the pilot house, which have been preserved in remarkable detail.

The museum's interior exhibit features thousands of items recovered from the riverbed. Among them, you will find both formidable weapons and ammunition and touching personal belongings of the crew: from cutlery to pocket knives that look as though they were used just yesterday. These finds offer a literal glimpse into the daily lives of sailors 130 years ago.

For a deeper understanding of the site's history, it is recommended to watch the audiovisual program. It provides a detailed and vivid account of the gunboat's dramatic sinking and the incredibly complex operation to rescue and conserve it. Walking around the ship's massive hull, combined with learning about the sailors' personal stories, will make your visit truly unforgettable.

The museum is located at 3201 Clay Street, within the Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg. This site is easy to find by following the signs to the national cemetery, near which the famous vessel now rests.

For most travelers, the most convenient way to get here is by car. Vicksburg is approximately 240 kilometers north of New Orleans and 400 kilometers south of Memphis. If you are using GPS navigation, enter the following coordinates: 32.3758781, -90.8666699.

For those arriving from further away, the nearest major air hub is Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport, located about 60 kilometers to the east. You can rent a car at the airport or take a taxi directly to the park entrance. Local taxi services are also available in the city to quickly transport you from the center to the main gates of the memorial complex.

The history of this ship began in 1861 when James Eads and Co. built it in Illinois. Commissioned in January 1862, the USS Cairo became a vital part of the Union's Western Gunboat Flotilla. It actively participated in operations on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, helping to secure strategic points and disrupt enemy supply lines.

On December 12, 1862, the vessel entered the history books forever as the first armed ship sunk by an electrically detonated mine (torpedo). The tragedy occurred on the Yazoo River during a route-clearing operation. Remarkably, although the ironclad went to the bottom in just 12 minutes, the entire crew survived.

For over a century, the USS Cairo lay beneath layers of river silt, transforming into a natural "time capsule." In 1956, historian Edwin Bearss located the wreck using a standard magnetic compass. A massive salvage operation began in 1964. Although the cables snapped during the process and the hull broke into sections, specialists managed to recover thousands of invaluable artifacts.

After a lengthy restoration process and the transfer of the site to the National Park Service, the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum officially opened its doors to the public in November 1980. Today, it is more than just an exhibit; it is a unique testament to 19th-century engineering and daily life.

To explore the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum at a leisurely pace, we recommend planning for about 1.5–2 hours. This is sufficient time to thoughtfully examine the ship's outer decks and view the extensive collection of artifacts inside the building.

If you also plan to watch the introductory audiovisual program and walk to the adjacent national cemetery, you should allow for a bit more time. Keep in mind that the museum is part of a vast park, which could take an entire day to explore fully.

The museum welcomes guests daily, following a convenient schedule. The complex doors are open to visitors from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Opening hours by day of the week:

• Monday: 8:30 – 16:30
• Tuesday: 8:30 – 16:30
• Wednesday: 8:30 – 16:30
• Thursday: 8:30 – 16:30
• Friday: 8:30 – 16:30
• Saturday: 8:30 – 16:30
• Sunday: 8:30 – 16:30

A visit to the ironclad museum is just one part of a deep dive into the region's history. The surroundings of Vicksburg are steeped in the atmosphere of the past, and a stroll through the adjacent areas will help you form a complete picture of the events that took place here over a century and a half ago.

Near the ship, you will find both natural scenic viewpoints and historic estates that have preserved their original appearance. Below are the most interesting sites located nearby: