July 23, 1864: Sinking of Army Transport B. M. Runyan in Mississippi River

JULY 23RD, 1864:  Army transport B.M. Runyan, with some 500 military and civilian passengers on board, sank in the Mississippi River near Skipwith's Landing, Mississippi, after hitting a snag.

The USS Prairie Bird, Acting Master Thomas Burns, rescued 350 survivors and salvaged part of the cargo.

Rescue and humanitarian operations have been a continuing naval mission throughout the history of the U.S. Navy.

--Old B-Runner