Remember the Sultana

This documentary is less about the technical reason for the boiler explosion and more about the human stories. Unlike another reviewer, I loved the background on the Civil War. The description of the prison camps was heart-rending. It helps you understand the mental and physical state of the soldiers aboard the ship. The film did not shy away from the corruption that put a couple thousand soldiers on a rickety old boat. There were so many touching stories about the rescues that followed the sinking. I knocked off a star for the lack of explanation of the boat wallowing and causing a flash steam explosion. Note there was no Confederate conspiracy. The History Detectives did a show that debunked all this nonsense. Some people claimed there was a firewood log filled with explosives. Thing is, the Sultana was fired with coal. Check out this soldier's description of the prison camp at (8:24): "Oh the suffering from cold, hunger, and the petty tyranny of cowards clothed with a little brief authority." I wonder if a soldier today could compose something so moving.

The documentary takes 20 minutes on unnecessary general background of the Civil War. Then it takes one POV about what happened and ignores the others and the evidence for them.

Some evidence says the Sultana was destroyed by mechanical failure, overloading, and corruption covering this up. And there's the other evidence the Sultana was destroyed by Confederate terrorists.

The Confederate terrorists themselves confessed and described what they did in detail. They hid a bomb in the ship's coal supply. This film doesn't even mention any of this.

I hope this feature documentary doesn't suffer the same fate as the Sultana disaster. Even during time of war, friends in government cover for incompetent and criminal activities. Indeed, President Lincoln himself had a part in the chain of events that lead to the disaster. And like today, the most culpable escaped prosecution or even charges, while one person got singled out to be the scapegoat.

The documentary itself was exceptionally well done. Remembrances by descendants of victims and survivors really helps to make this feel as real as it it. Kudos to Sean Astin for his narration.

The worst maritime disaster in American history, and at 73 I'm hearing about it for the first time. There is a lot to learn and know in this world.