NPS Photo
Naval Commanders Mural
Left: Admiral David Dixon Porter, Commander of the Mississippi Squadron. Porter refused to hold a court of inquiry on the sinking of the USS Cairo. With experienced officers in demand, he immediately reassigned Lt. Commander Selfridge to command of the USS Conestoga.
Center: Lieutenant Commander Thomas O. Selfridge. Selfridge was commander of the USS Cairo when the vessel was sunk by a Confederate torpedo (underwater mine).
Right: Flag-Officer Andrew H. Foote. Foote commanded the Western Flotilla when the USS Cairo was commissioned.