A series of pictures that tells the story of the Mississippi wheel steamer 'Sultana'. In April 1865, she carried over 2000 recently released prisoners of the Civil War, with the real capacity of carrying only 300 passengers.

  

Shortly after passing Memphis, a boiler exploded and in moments the entire ship was engulfed in flames.

  

The final victim count reached 1800 persons, surpassing the later, far more known disaster of the Titanic, by 300. Making it the largest maritime disaster in US history to date.

  

Painted in photoshop.

  

Original width: ~7000 px.