MRC131 USS Cairo 1

While not specifically associated with the siege of Vicksburg, the park also contains a display that shows how the two sides long battled for control of the Mississippi River.  The U.S.S. Cairo, was a Union ironclad gunboat in the "Brown Water" navy.  On December 12, 1862, in the Yazoo River north of Vicksburg, Cairo struck two underwater torpedoes and sank in 12 minutes, with no loss of life.  Preserved by mud and silt, the Cairo sat on the bottom of the river for 102 years.  She was raised in 1964 and was later restored and put on display in the park fairly near to where she was found.