Rocky Shores by Misty Cato coming Saturday to SSD
Template by Cindy Price
THE USS CAIRO WAS ONE OF SEVEN IRONCLAD GUNBOATS COMMISSIONED BY THE
UNION ARMY DURING THE CIVIL WAR IN HOPES OF REGAINING CONTROL OF THE
LOWER MISSISSIPPI AND SPLITTING THE CONFEDERACY IN TWO. THE CAIRO SAW
LITTLE ACTION UNTIL DECEMBER 12, 1862 WHEN IT WAS STRUCK BY TWO UNDER-
WATER MINES AND SUNK TO THE BOTTOM OF THE YAZOO RIVER, 7 MILES NORTH OF
VICKSBURG. 100 YEARS LATER IN 1960 THE WRECKAGE WAS DISCOVERED AND WAS
EVENTUALLY RAISED AND IN 1972 CONGRESS ENACTED LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING
THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO ACCEPT TITLE TO THE CAIRO AND RESTORE THE
GUNBOAT FOR DISPLAY IN VICKSBURG BATTLEFIELD PARK.
