USS Cairo Ironclad Model Ship - 10-Inch Civil War Replica - Union Navy Warship For Sale

The Story of the USS Cairo In the struggle to split the Confederacy in two, the Union unleashed the USS Cairo—one of the seven "City-class" ironclads built to reclaim the Mississippi River. Named after Cairo, Illinois, she was a true workhorse of the inland waters, bristling with heavy cannon and clad in thick charcoal-iron plating. Her career was a whirlwind of riverine combat, from the Battle of Plum Point Bend to the siege of Fort Pillow. However, her most famous moment came in December 1862 on the Yazoo River. While clearing the way for the assault on Vicksburg, the Cairo struck a "torpedo"—a primitive naval mine—and sank in just twelve minutes. Miraculously, not a single soul was lost. After resting in the river mud for over a century, she was raised in 1964, her remarkably preserved hull now serving as a haunting time capsule of the war on the water. This model honors the legacy of the pioneer that changed naval warfare forever.

• Historic "Pook Turtle" Replica: This precision 10-inch scale model captures the unique profile of the USS Cairo, the famed City-class ironclad that spearheaded the Union’s Western Gunboat Flotilla during the American Civil War.
• Authentic Slanted Casemate Detail: Features the signature inward-sloping armored casemate and recessed paddle-wheel design. Every rivet and plate reflects the rapid industrial innovation used to reclaim the Mississippi River in 1862.
• Ready-to-Display Craftsmanship: Engineered with a stable, flat-bottomed hull, this model sits perfectly on office desks, mantels, or bookshelves. No separate stand or assembly is required, making it an instant centerpiece for any maritime collection.
• The Ultimate Civil War Gift: An ideal collectible for naval history buffs, veterans, and military wargamers. This model commemorates the first armored warship in history to be sunk by an underwater mine, preserved today at Vicksburg National Military Park.