Sultana Survivors Reunion Albumen Photograph

Outdoor albumen group portrait showing 9 men seated with 11 standing behind, an American flag flying behind them. N.p., [1890].

The Sultana was a side-wheel steamboat built in Cincinnati in 1863, intended for the cotton trade, and built with a capacity of 376 passengers. On the fateful day of her sinking on 27 April 1865, the Sultana was carrying 2,137. Though her sinking is considered one of the worst naval disasters in US history, the news was overshadowed by the end of the Civil War and the very recent assassination of President Lincoln.

On 21 April 1865, the Sultana left Vicksburg and traveled to New Orleans to pick up paroled prisoners of war. During the journey, one of the boilers sprang a leak. While in New Orleans, Captain James Cass Mason decided against a proper repair of the boiler as he feared the prisoners would be picked up by other boats. Receiving only temporary repairs, the boat then took on an enormous amount of paroled prisoners, a total of 1,960 along with 22 guards. She traveled north for two days, fighting against heavy flood waters, and around 2 am on April 27th, near Memphis, one boiler exploded causing two more to follow. There are several contradictory reports as to how many actually died, however, well over 1,000 lost their lives.

Survivors formed the National Sultana Survivors Association and annual reunions were held in both northern and southern states through the early 20th century. This image was taken at one such reunion in 1890. The same view was published in America’s Civil War, May 2002, p. 32

[Civil War, Early Photography, Albumen, Union, Confederate, POW, Naval History, Disasters] [Daguerreotype, Ambrotype, Tintype, CDV, Albumen, carte-de-visite, Salt print, Cabinet Card] [Civil War, Union, Confederate]