⚔️📍 Yazoo River, Mississippi1862
USS Cairo Sunk — First Warship Killed by an Electrical Torpedo
The Union ironclad USS Cairo struck two Confederate naval mines (called 'torpedoes') on the Yazoo River and sank in 12 minutes — the first warship in history sunk by a remotely triggered electrical mine. The crew survived.
The sinking of USS Cairo demonstrated the effectiveness of naval mines and led to their widespread use, foreshadowing the lethal mine warfare of both World Wars.
Outcome
USS Cairo sunk; naval mine warfare proven effective