USS Marmora- Cairo's Sister in Arms

USS Marmora during River Operations of the Meridian Campaign

 

Crew of the USS Hunchback manning a 12 pound deck howitzer.

Witness to Destruction

Commissioned in October of 1862, the USS Marmora (also know as Tinclad Number 2), was present at nearly every stage of both the Vicksburg and Meridian campaigns. The Marmora was one of three gunboats accompanying the USS Cairo during torpedo clearing operations on the Yazoo River when the ill-fated Cairo struck two mines and was sent to the bottom on December 12, 1862. Fortunately, Marmora was close at hand to assist in the rescue of Cairo's crew. Marmora remained in the region for several months, seeing action at the Battles of Chickasaw Bayou and Fort Hindman.

On March 5, 1864 the resilient tinclad again proved her mettle by repusling a Confederate attack on outnumbered Union forces at Yazoo City during the Meridian Campaign. During this action, the ship's 12-pound howitzer gun was deployed ashore making a vital contribution to the narrow Union victory.

Three members of the howitzer's gun crew received the Medal of Honor for thier valor that day. These men were Seaman WIlliam J. Franks, Seaman Bartlett Laffey, and Seaman James Stoddard.

 

USS Laffey, named for one of the Marmora's Crew

Legacy of Valor

USS Laffey (DD-724), an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer, was the 2nd ship of the United States Navy to be named for Seaman Bartlett Laffey. This ship is now a floating museum and can be visited in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

The first USS Laffey (DD-459), a Benson class destroyer, was lost during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942.