The USS Cairo

The USS Cairo was one of the seven City Class ironclad river gunboats, named for Cairo, Illinois, and built at Mound City, Illinois. Plans were completed on July 6, 1861, proposals were requested on July 18, 1861, the contract was signed on August 7, 1861, contract delivery was set for October 10, 1861, and actual delivery came on January 15, 1862; she was commissioned on January 16, 1862. The seven boats were St. Louis, later Baron De Kalb, Carondelet, Cairo, Cincinnati, Mound City, Louisville, and Pittsburg. The vessel was transferred from the Army to the Navy on October 1, 1862, and sank at 11:55 a.m. on December 12, 1862. Her complement totaled 175, including 17 officers, 27 petty officers, 111 seamen, 3 landsmen, 1 apprentice, 12 firemen, and 4 coal heavers, with 158 enlisted men and 17 officers. Her commanders were Lt. James M. Pritchett, USN, Lt. Nathaniel Bryant, USN, and Lt. Comdr. Thomas O. Selfridge, USN, who captained Cairo when she was sunk; the only known photograph of the USS Cairo was taken early in 1862 at Cairo, Illinois.

Vicksburg, Mississippi · United States