Ever hear of the Sultana? Did not think so.
QIC: Spamalot
Date: 04/27/21
PAX: Schneider, Organ Grinder, Tonka (WB), Ziggy Stardust, Rust Bucket (WD), Spamalot (QIC)
Apologies for the incredible tardiness of this backblast. The final push to actually write it came from Van Gogh. Guilt is a powerful weapon.
April 27 marked the 156 years since the greatest maritime disaster in American history occurred. While the actual number of lives lost is not know, estimates have the number slightly over 1,600, which would be greater than the death toll from the sinking of the Titanic.
I am, or course, talking about the sinking of The Sultana in the early morning hours of April 27, 1865. Never hear of it?
Not surprised. It is essentially a lost event of history. To put it into context, think of the other events that happened in April of 1865.
April 12 – Robert E. Lee surrenders to U.S. Grant, ending the Civil War.
April 14 – President Lincoln is assassinated, beginning a man hunt for John Wilkes Booth.
April 26 – Booth is shot/burned alive in the barn on Dr. Mudd’s property.
Following the end of the Civil War, one of the logistical issues was returning prisoners of war to the other side. The Sultana was as steamboat that traveled up and down the Mississippi River. On the fateful date, it was tasked with delivering Union soldiers back to the North.
Though only built to hold 376 people, upwards of 2,100 people were packed onboard. Around 2am, (not far from Memphis) one of its boilers exploded, resulting in fire and further boilers to explode. Approximately 760 survivors had to brave frigid waters and the current.
To so honor those lost as a result of this tragic, forgotten event, we did exercises.
Some 11s, some Dora and time at the benches.
Better late and off point as opposed to not at all!
Apologies.
Spamalot
