Topic starter
27/04/2011 8:06 am
1865: The Sultana sank near Memphis, Tennessee creating the worst maritime disaster in U.S. History.
It is believed that a great uncle of mine, Albyno Williams, was an escort on that vessel. He survived and was mustered out of service a year later. I'm still trying to verify the accuracy of that information as he was not a prisoner but merely an escort.
I would also be remiss if I didn't add the Str. Julia Dean to the mix, which collided with the Str. Rainbow at 3 a.m. on April 26, 1857. There were seven people killed but only six crewmembers identified (to-date). The seventh is also believed to be a relative of mine, Lorenzo McDaniel, who was my 4th great grandfather. His official date of death is April 27, 1857 and he was said to have perished "in a steamboat accident on the Ohio River" - this is the only one that fits the bill.
Today is not a good river day for my family so I will not be anywhere near the Mississippi, St. Croix or Ohio Rivers today. Won't even cross on a bridge.