U.S.S. Cairo: The Story of a Civil War Gunboat
 Comprising a Narrative of Her Wartime Adventures by Virgil Carrington Jones, and an Account of Her Raising in 1964 by Harold L. Peterson

by Virgil Carrington Jones

"U.S.S. Cairo: The Story of a Civil War Gunboat" by Jones and Peterson is a historical account written in the early 1970s. The book narrates the wartime adventures of the Union ironclad gunboat U.S.S. Cairo during the American Civil War, as well as the significant archaeological efforts that led to her raising in 1964. It provides an in-depth exploration of the vessel's missions, the circumstances of her sinking, and the artifacts recovered following her rediscovery. The book details the journey of the U.S.S. Cairo from her construction and commissioning to her operational challenges and eventual sinking by a Confederate torpedo in the Yazoo River. Captains Thomas O. Selfridge Jr. and Nathaniel Bryant lead the ship through various campaigns, albeit with mixed success and considerable adversity, including operational mishaps and failures. A century later, the narrative transitions to recount the innovative efforts to salvage the ship and her artifacts, which revealed invaluable insights into life aboard a Civil War naval vessel. The findings not only enriched historical records but also showcased the daily lives of the crew, offering a unique glimpse into the nautical practices of the time.