From the April 27th Minneapolis (Mn) Star "Sultana yet another night to remember" by Billy Shannon.
News of this disaster was practically buried back then and is completely overlooked with all the hoopla around the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. I admit that I had never heard of it before until awhile back the remains of the Sultana were found in a farm field near the Mississippi River.
The Sultana sank 147 years ago, April 27, 1865, and at least 1,800 Union soldiers perished that night, some 300 more than the Titanic. Even worse, these soldiers had recently been released from Confederate prisons (some having also been at Andersonville) and were just a few days from returning home to family and friends when they died.
South of Memphis, the seriously overloaded ship's boiler exploded, causing men to be sent through the air and then the ship caught fire.
The tragedy was mentioned, but largely overlooked with the events occurring in April that year: Lee's surrender, Lincoln's assassination, the search for Booth, the capture and death of Booth, the funeral train procession and t he surrender of Johnston.
About the only-known commemoration taking place for the Sultana will be one held in Cincinnati today where the ship was built in 1863. About 60-70 are expected to attend. A descendants group was organized in 1987. Plans are being made for its 2015 sesquicentennial observance.
Not Completely Forgotten. --Old B-Runner
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