Crowds line up on shore to board the Sultana. PinterestOvercrowding of the Sultana leading to the enormous tragedy. PinterestHarper’s Weekly image – the top image was scanned from the original May 20, 1865 newspaper and enhanced. cw-chroniclesSultana Disaster. rootsweb.ancestryCaptain J.C. Mason. PinterestFrederick Speed, entrusted by Captain Mason, to transfer passengers and freight, responsible for overloading the boat but he was found not guilty in court. usniSultana survivors at a reunion in 1920. NeatoramaCaleb 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. PinterestSurvivors of the SS Sultana. PinterestJohn 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
