Over 2,000 people were aboard the Sultana on April 27, 1865, despite the steamboat being licensed for only 376, leading to a catastrophic explosion.
“The Sultana was a river boat that exploded in 1865 killing many passengers, mostly Union Soldiers.”
Synopsis
Over 2,000 people were aboard the Sultana on April 27, 1865, despite the steamboat being licensed for only 376, leading to a catastrophic explosion.
People
View all →
Synopsis
On April 27, 1865, the steamboat Sultana, carrying over 2,000 Union soldiers and civilians, departed from Memphis, Tennessee. Licensed for only 376 passengers, the vessel was dangerously overloaded. As the Mississippi River swelled from spring snowmelt, the Sultana's poorly maintained boilers exploded. This disaster resulted in the worst maritime tragedy in U.S. history. Personal accounts and historical analysis reveal the negligence and corruption that contributed to the catastrophe and its impact on a nation recovering from the Civil War.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- See how greed led to the Sultana disaster.
- Find out about the human cost of negligence.
- Meet the Union soldiers affected by the tragedy.
Did You Know
- The Sultana was licensed for only 376 people but carried over 2000.
- The disaster occurred on April 27, 1865, shortly after the Civil War.
- The explosion resulted in the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history.
Perfect For
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the capacity of the Sultana?
The Sultana was licensed for only 376 passengers.
How many people were on the Sultana during the disaster?
The Sultana was tragically overloaded with over 2000 Union soldiers, passengers, and crew.
When did the Sultana disaster occur?
The Sultana disaster occurred on April 27, 1865.
What are people saying?
Play More Like This
Browse more like this
Related Films
Is this your film?
If you made this film or hold the rights to it, we'd like to talk. We can license it and pay you a share of what it earns.
Comments