Description
The explosion and sinking of the steamboat Sultana is the worst maritime disaster in United States history. A leaky boiler, patched days before, exploded causing other boilers to burst. In 1982, the Sultana was located under 32 ft. of soil on a farm. The Mississippi changed its course over the years and is now two miles east of its 1865 position. The last northern survivor, Private Jordan Barr died on May 16, 1938, he was 93 years old.
The Sultana had a legal carrying capacity of 376, however, when it left Vicksburg it was carrying over 2300. About 1,978 were paroled Union soldiers who had survived the brutal Civil War prison camps of Andersonville and Cahaba. Over 1,547 lives were lost.
This steamboat Sultana mug is part of our US Civil War series profiling participants in the War Between the States. Thousands of Confederate and Union soldiers fought in battles such as Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. We honor their sacrifices by telling their stories.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
