Sinking of the Sultana – Object #1

Helena, Arkansas. April 26, 1865. Ill-fated Sultana

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<p>Black and white photograph shows the overloaded steamboat Sultana on the Mississippi River. Black smoke pours out of the left smokestack and the upper and lower decks are filled with Union soldiers in dark military uniforms. The steamboat is pointed to the right in the image, downriver, with the word SULTANA in large script in the middle of the steamboat. There is a smaller barge to the rear in the bottom left of the photograph.</p>

Photograph of the steamship Sultana

Questions:

What do you notice about the number of passengers aboard Sultana?

Do you think this depicts a safe vessel or method of transportation? Why or why not?

Citations

Bankes, Thomas W, photographer. Helena, Arkansas. Ill-fated Sultana. Arkansas Helena Mississippi River United States, 1865. [photographed, printed later] Photograph.