The explosion of the ship Sultana is the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history.
On April 27, 1865, the overloaded ship (built for 376 passengers, but carrying 2,427) exploded and sank just north of Memphis. According to Wikipedia, the official count by the United States Customs Service of those who died is 1,800. Final estimates of survivors are about 550. Many of the dead were interred at the Memphis National Cemetery. Three victims of the wreck of the Sultana are interred at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis. There's a museum in Arkansas not far from here.
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...overloaded, I'd say!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteNever heard this bit of history. Doesn't come as a surprise that greed was at the root of this disaster.
ReplyDeleteIt's known here because of it being -still- the worst maritime disaster in US history. Memphis, ya never know what you'll discover lol
DeleteOh my! What an incredible overload!
ReplyDeleteYes, even without the explosion, one wonders how this could've ended well.
DeleteI never heard about this, but it was an awful tragedy caused by people greedy for money!! Valerie
ReplyDeleteSome boiler maintenance would've been a good idea.
DeleteSad. So sad, what else to say. I fail to imagine how it must´ve been.
ReplyDeleteIt must've been terrifying.
DeleteI'd never heard of this either. That is one over crowded ship. And a sad but fascinating story.
ReplyDeleteAmazing that it hadn't gone down 'til the boiler exploded.
DeleteI'm with some of the others, I have never heard of this. Thanks for sharing. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite the disaster :(
DeleteI believe I watched s short documentary on this years ago. Money--the root of all evil, eh?
ReplyDeleteIt is astounding all the different problems that led to this disaster.
DeleteSo sad and it must have been terrifying! Such a terrible disaster. Take care! Hugs Jo x
ReplyDeleteSurvivors in the water clung to each other and went down in groups. Tragic :(
DeleteI read about this on someone's blog and learned a lot by doing an internet search. I remember it well.
ReplyDeleteIt's of particular local interest, and I've posted about it before. So sad :(
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