Tools and Utilitarian Devices
A wide variety of tools, equipment and technical items were recovered from the sunken ironclad. These provide insight into what the crew and officers did to keep the ironclad afloat and man a gunboat.

Blacksmithing
Blacksmithing was an important function aboard the ironclad, given the large amount of metal aboard. The Cairo’s blacksmith set up shop on the top deck.


Communication
Much of the communication with the crew was handled through the boatswain. Throughout the day, the crew would hear the sharp pitched piping of the boatswain’s whistle as they were ordered to perform tasks aboard the gunboat.

Navigational Devices
The 400 pound brass bell served as a signaling device to signal, in heavy fog, to other vessels of the Cairo’s approach. The signal board also helped navigation as directions were passed through from the pilot house to the engine room informing engineers what actions to make. The hydrometer was used to help determine specific gravity when measuring water depth.

Cairo Technical Items
Pipes [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/communication/VICKc1139_boatswainsPipe.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Pipes
Padlock [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/lockingDevices/VICK1320_padlock.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Padlock
Firebox Door [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/shipsComponenets/VICK4421_fireboxDoor.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Firebox Door
   
Lighting Devices
Globe [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/lightingDevices/VICK366_lampGlobe.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Globe
Globe [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/lightingDevices/VICK389_globe.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Globe
Lamp [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/lightingDevices/VICK5641_lamp.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Lamp
Candle [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/lightingDevices/VICK901candle.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Candle
Tools and Equipment
Tools [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/tools_utilitarianDevices/VICK1195_1059_1053_pencil.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Tools
Bucket [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/tools_utilitarianDevices/VICK1212_washTub.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Bucket
Paint Pan and Scraper [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/tools_utilitarianDevices/VICK1505_976_paintcan_scraper.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Scraper
Coal Scuttle [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/tools_utilitarianDevices/VICK1507_coalScuttle.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Coal Scuttle
Brush [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/tools_utilitarianDevices/VICK3072_3075brush.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Brush
Safe [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/tools_utilitarianDevices/VICK5175_safe.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Safe
Weights [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/tools_utilitarianDevices/VICK5639_weight.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Weight
Shipping Crate Top [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/tools_utilitarianDevices/VICKc1026_shippingCrate.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Shipping Crate
Wrenches [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/tools_utilitarianDevices/VICKc1301_wrench.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Wrenches
Anvil [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/tools_utilitarianDevices/VICKc1963_anvil.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Anvil
Hydrometer [a href="LifeAboard/technical_cairo/navigationalDevices/VICK1256_water.html" target="_blank" target="_blank"]
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Hydrometer
       
Lantern Bell Dust Pan