21 Images Depicting the Sultana Disaster of 1865

Crowds line up on shore to board the Sultana. Pinterest

Overcrowding of the Sultana leading to the enormous tragedy. Pinterest

Harper’s Weekly image – the top image was scanned from the original May 20, 1865 newspaper and enhanced. cw-chronicles

Sultana Disaster. rootsweb.ancestry

Captain J.C. Mason. Pinterest

Frederick Speed, entrusted by Captain Mason, to transfer passengers and freight, responsible for overloading the boat but he was found not guilty in court. usni

Sultana survivors at a reunion in 1920. Neatorama

Caleb Rule was 24 years old at the time of the sinking of the Sultana. He survived due to being a great swimmer and lived to become a preacher at several churches in Sevier and Blount counties. He lived to the age of 72. Pinterest

Survivors of the SS Sultana. Pinterest

John Harrison Simpson. Enlisted in Co I, 3rd Tennessee Cavalry (Union) in 1863 at age 15. Wounded and captured by Confederates under Nathan Bedford Forrest in 1864 and sent to Cahaba prison. He survived the Sultana explosion. Pinterest