How a steamboat carrying Union soldiers sank and became ‘America’s Titanic’
A tragic event occurred on April 27, 1865, when the steamship Sultana exploded and caught fire. The vessel was carrying Union soldiers, including Pvt. Commodore Smith, who was on the lower deck.
The explosion killed hundreds instantly and injured many others. The aftermath of the disaster was chaotic, with dead and wounded passengers covering survivors. Smith and others were faced with a difficult decision as the wounded begged to be thrown overboard to escape the fire.
Further details about this tragic event, described as "America's Titanic," are available from the Sultana Disaster Museum's website, which includes a first-person account from Smith.
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