Miscellaneous Blogs
Book Review: The Explosion of the SS Sultana
If you were asked to list two or three major maritime disasters, where many lost their life, I guess you would mention the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, the RMS Lusitania in 1915 or even the RMS Empress of Ireland in 1914. I suspect you wouldn’t mention the loss of the SS Sultana on 27th April 1865 – even though it remains the deadliest maritime disaster in American history.
Whilst a total of 1,517 died when the Titanic sank, 1,198 on the Lusitania and 1,012 on the Empress of Ireland it is estimated that over 1,800 people died when the Sultana exploded and sank in the Mississippi River. The death toll was an estimate due to the chaotic circumstances at the time. General Robert E Lee had surrendered to General Ulysses Grant on 9th April 1865 and though the American civil war wasn’t over, it was drawing to an end. These were tumultuous times as thousands of Union soldiers were being repatriated from Confederate prison camps to the north. There was both euphoria and resentment in the air. Less than a week later, on 15th April, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. The news and aftermath was all consuming. Whilst the death of almost two thousand people wasn’t ignored it was overshadowed by the carnage of the American Civil War where an estimated 750,000 perished.
The Explosion of the SS Sultana is not a record of any formal investigation or official report. It is essentially an account from a collection of eye witnesses and previously published sources of the events surrounding the loss of the steam ship and those on board. What is clear is that all the ingredients for a disaster were present. What is equally clear is that whilst most of the eye witness accounts are consistent the booklet contains numerous assertions and statements for which no evidence is given nor corroboration provided. In particular, the suggestion that the explosion was due to sabotage by Confederate forces still battling against the Union Army.
There is no doubt that Union soldiers, who had endured terrible conditions in Confederate prison camps, were only too keen to travel north and towards home – regardless of the condition of the ship and facilities provided. It is claimed that a Union Quartermaster, previously judged “totally unfit” to continue his duties and suspected of graft and corruption, was charged with the task of negotiating the price of passage for returning soldiers. It is also claimed that greedy ship owners were only too willing to transport as many passengers as possible – even if it overloaded the ship. What is known is that the Sultana was designed to carry only 400 passengers. On 26th April, when it began the journey north towards Memphis, it was estimated there were over 2,400 on board; over five times the number it was designed to carry. Indeed, the cover picture of the booklet illustrates vividly the overcrowding. What’s more the Sultana, excessively loaded, would be battling against the current all the way north – putting immense strain on the ship.
What those on board didn’t know was that two years previously the ship had been hastily refurbished and put back into service with experimental boilers. One of these boilers had failed prior to the ill-fated journey and was hastily repaired. After the disaster these experimental boilers were later removed from other ships.
In the account Charles River Editors assert that other ships were available, alongside the Sultana, at the time of loading but were not used. They also assert those responsible for the overloading of soldiers on board were reprimanded but no evidence is offered. The account, whilst vivid in places, remains an unsatisfactory epitaph to those who died.
Included in The Explosion of the SS Sultana are several black and white photographs of the ship, together with other sketches and illustrations. They do capture the moment of departure and the aftermath.
The Explosion of the SS Sultana (undated)
- Publisher: Charles River Editors
- 28pp
- ISBN 9781500857660
Charles River Editors provide a variety of services to those who wish to publish both print based and digital material. This includes the republication of previously published material. Search on www.amazon.co.uk for more.
Find out more about the reviewer, Professor Fred Lockwood, who is also a published author at www.fredlockwood.co.uk.
If you ever wondered what’s the exciting buzz around the RAID Diver Agency, we can tell you right here!
The prestigious Royal Thai Marine Police have chosen RAID as their trusted agency for their Underwater Operations Course.
This intense and rigorous course is designed to equip the force with the specialized skills and expertise needed for all underwater operations, ensuring they are totally prepared for the challenges of their critical missions.
With RAID‘s comprehensive training, the Royal Thai Marine Police will be well-prepared to handle the demands of their underwater tasks.
Why RAID? Truly Different?
The RAID philosophy is we are divers, not Recreational or Technical, just divers.
We all start with our first breath underwater with limited knowledge and experience. How much theoretical knowledge individuals may want is a personal choice.
However, when it comes to practical experience, there should be no difference to the required skill foundation and learning the fundamentals of diving is crucial.
With the roots of RAID International being founded in a technical background, the ethos is to provide all divers with solid fundamental skills of diving buoyancy, hover & trim which provide a robust platform for any future training in whatever direction they decides interests them.
How do RAID do that?
RAID conduct all dive skill training how you would use it practically. Perfect buoyancy with good hover and trim position.
Other agencies teach you to sit on the bottom and do skills! Do you go to the bottom every time you want to clear your mask?
Dive training in a class of its own.
RAID FREe-Learning.
No smoke and mirrors with RAID, there is nothing to hide.
Everyone can access any and all of RAID course theory and skills manuals online and downloadable without any charge or commitment.
Truly FREe-Learning
You bet that wasn’t popular with the book selling agencies!
If that wasn’t enough, additionally, all the skills videos, are available on YouTube with FREE access.
The core of RAID‘s ethos is to provide all divers with solid fundamental skills of diving buoyancy with perfect hover & trim providing a robust platform for any future training.
To enable that, RAID Professionals must have skills honed to the highest level, always performed with consummate ease and completely naturally.
To access the whole FREe-Learning library completely without any commitment or cost, simply register with RAID by scanning the QR code.
No one will contact you, you are free to download and peruse whatever you want to.
Should you decide you would like to know more or would like to take a course contact James at RAID UK and he will direct you to your local RAID centre.
RAID UK
James Rogers
www.diveraiduk.com
info@diveraiduk.com
+44 191 4324644
RAID – A Global Agency
RAID has Regional Offices around the world all fully embedded in the governing bodies of diver training.
WRSTC Member USA, ERSTC Member EU, Worldwide ISO Certified, RTC founding member.
RAID Dive Centres are in all corners of the UK!
All ready to offer divers and beginners a friendly welcoming new standard of service. Whether you are ready to take your first breath or an experienced exploration diver, make visiting a RAID Dive Centre your next step.
Here are just a few suggestions.
Bay Divers
Swansea
www.baydivers.co.uk
+44-7859-018970
West Coast Diving
Kilmarnock
www.westcoastdiving.co.uk
+44-7904-539512
SevernTec Diving
Dive South
RAID – Holiday Destinations
Looking to take a dive trip with your club or personally, here are just a few popular RAID dive holiday destination ideas for the UK based diver.
Egypt
Maldives
Bali
Thailand
South Africa
Click to contact the Regional Office for a full list of dive destinations in that region.
EGYPT
Pharaoh Dive Club
Roots Red Sea, El Quseir, Egypt
info@pharaohdiveclub.com
www.pharaohdiveclub.com
+20 10068 22000
Multi award winning centre offering special ‘Dive & Stay’ packages
Scuba Dreamer Diving College
Park Regency, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
www.scubadreamer.it
info@scubadreamer.it
+20 122 7150550
Based at Park Regency & Beach Promenade providing a full 5* package
MALDIVES
Fehivina Dhangethi &
Dhodhi – Dhiffushi – North Male’ Atoll
www.scubadivinemaldives.com
scubadivinedhangethi@gmail.com
scubadivinedhiffushi@gmail.com
+96 07913075
Range of accommodation options available
Jerrys Dive Club
Rasdhoo, Maldives
www.jerrysdiveclub.com
hello@jerrysdiveclub.com
+960 772 7876
Stay at Jerry’s Guest House
BALI
Prana Dive
Kabupaten Karaangasem, Bali, Indonesia
www.pranadive.com
info@pranadive.com
+62 813 3877 5345
Why not stay with us at Teratai Boutique Resort
THAILAND
SOUTH AFRICA
Adventure Mania
Sodwana Bay, South Africa
www.adventuremania.co.za
info@adventuremania.co.za
+27 82 653 7824
Adventure Mania takes pride in providing personalised, eco-conscious dives that highlight the beauty of protected coral reefs and marine life. This family diving business, nestled within a Marine Protected Area, offers a diving experience that is as educational as it is exhilarating.
Adventure Mania’s expert instructors and staff have a deep-rooted passion for ocean conservation. They not only guide divers through breathtaking underwater landscapes but emphasise the importance of marine preservation. Teaching diving with Adventure Mania goes beyond imparting technical skills; it embraces fostering a respect for the ocean.
ScubaCo
Durban, South Africa
www.scubaco.co.za
info@scubaco.co.za
+27 79 779 4242
ScubaCo is a boutique RAID Dive Centre operating on the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline of South Africa. ScubaCo are specialists in both shark and reef diving as well as featuring the annual Sardine Run migration as they are so well positioned to offer the best of the best.
Many clients enjoy our wonderful packages with ScubaCo Guest House accommodation coupled to amazing dive options – Shark Diving, Big 5 Safari & Diving the Sardine Run.
This destination is a must for every Diver and should be on your bucket list for dive travel.
Make sure to add Aliwal Shoal to your next Diving holiday and let Tamara and her team take fantastic care of you while in South Africa.
Dive & Travel the RAID way
When you see the RAID emblem at a dive centre around the world you can be assured that the highest standards of diver training are being provided, knowing all RAID professionals have met the testing criteria to achieve their professional rank.
Gemma and Ian chat to Dawn Kernagis. Dawn joined DEEP in 2023 as the Director of Scientific Research. DEEP is an ocean technology and exploration company with a mission to ‘Make Humans Aquatic.’ DEEP’s undersea habitat and submersible systems, combined with multi-phased diver and human performance training, will create the next evolution of subsea science, research, and exploration capabilities. Dawn is a NASA-trained NEEMO Aquanaut, Explorer’s Club Fellow and Women Divers Hall of Fame Inductee and who is also tasked to establish DEEP’s first US presence in North Carolina. Dawn has also been a diver with numerous underwater exploration, research, and conservation projects since 1993, including the mapping and record-setting exploration of some of the deepest underwater caves in the world.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-kernagis-995383152/
The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90. “Beyond Technical” Narked at 90 If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements https://www.narkedat90.com/. There is currently a code for you to use for purchases and the code is BIGSCUBA2024.
If you are interested in the INSTA360 action camera we discussed then please click this link: https://www.insta360.com/sal/x3?utm_term=INRAI8S
We hope you have enjoyed this episode of The BiG Scuba Podcast. Please give us ★★★★★, leave a review, and tell your friends. Contact Gemma and Ian with your messages, ideas and feedback via The BiG Scuba Bat Phone +44 7810 005924 or use our social media platforms. To keep up to date with the latest news, follow us:
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