Sinking the Sultana A Civil War Story of Imprisonment, Greed, and a Doomed Journey Home

"Sinking the Sultana" delves into the harrowing true story of the steamboat Sultana, which suffered the worst maritime disaster in American history in April 1865. The book meticulously recounts the events leading up to the explosion, focusing on the thousands of Union soldiers, recently released from Confederate prison camps, who were dangerously overloaded onto the vessel. Author Sally M. Walker explores themes of greed, human error, and the tragic consequences of a doomed journey home, providing a compelling narrative for readers aged 8-11. It's a powerful look at a preventable tragedy and a significant, often overlooked, moment in Civil War history.

The worst maritime disaster in American history wasn t the Titanic. It was the steamboat Sultana on the Mississippi River and it could have been prevented.