Sultana Disaster Books (EVERY Source EVER Written)

More lives were lost on the Sultana Disaster in 1865 than on the Titanic in 1912, about 278 more. This makes the sinking of the Sultana the worst maritime disaster in US history, the scope and scale of this tragedy needs to be understood. Fortunately, I have cobbled together a list of EVERY source EVER published about the steamboat as well as a few journal publications and historical fictions! There’s something for everyone on this list!

Sultana Facts and Stats

• “SS” is an appropriate designation for the Sultana as she was a steam ship under steam power.
• The Sultana transported mostly Union soldiers, but also Confederate.
• Many of these Civil War soldiers were imprisoned in the Cahaba (AL) & Andersonville (GA) camps.
• The Sultana disaster happened on the Mississippi River on the boarder between Helena, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee.
• The Sultana descendants hold an annual reunion to commemorate.
• People have devoted their lives to the ship’s research and preservation.
• There is a Sultana Museum located in Marion, Arkansas; there are historical markers in both Memphis and Knoxville, Tennessee.
• The SS Sultana had a total length of 260 feet.
• The Sultana was only licensed to carry 376 passengers, yet on April 27, 1865 it had over 2,400 on board.
• The Sultana was carrying over SIX TIMES the legal carrying capacity when it exploded.
• The steamship exploded at 2 a.m. in the morning.
• Compare: Sultana was 260 feet long < Titanic was 883 feet long.
• Compare: Sultana carried 2,400 passengers > Titanic carried 2,227 passengers.
• Compare: Sultana deaths totaled 1,800 > Titanic deaths totaled 1,522.

My Connection

The Sultana disaster story is also my story. My 3rd great-grandfather, Joseph Henry Collins (1817-1865), was aboard the SS Sultana when it went down that fateful night on April 27th, 1865. Also on board was his eldest son James Robert Collins (1844-1919), both were born in North Carolina and living in Bradley County, Tennessee at the time of the Civil War.

Fortunately for our family, son James Robert Collins (my 2nd great-grand uncle) survived the disaster on the Mississippi and went on to write his own version of the events of 1865 – his account is source number 8 listed below. Unfortunately, his father Joseph Henry Collins did not survive the worst maritime disaster in US history.

Both of the Collins men were captives in the infamous Cahaba (Cahawba) prison in Alabama before boarding the Sultana. Their story is very much representative of many families whose fates were all too similar. Having books and sources to read on the Sultana disaster helps us to understand our own family history and give perspective to our ancestors.

List of Sultana Disaster Sources (books, articles, journals, kindle, ebooks)

1. “Disaster on the Mississippi” by Gene Salecker (1996)

Gene Salecker is one of the most renowned Sultana historians. Not only is his book “Disaster on the Mississippi: The Sultana Explosion, April 27, 1865” one of the best read books on the subject, Mr. Salecker has been a keynote speaker in many of the most recent Sultana Reunions. Word is that he will also be presenting at the upcoming 2020 reunion.

Although I already had a copy of his book, I purchased the hardcover edition (pictured below) while visiting Cahaba Prison in Alabama (a.k.a., Old Cahawba). Turns out it was a signed edition! It was a nice keepsake and a chance to give back to the museum and grounds.

It is interesting that Jerry O. Potter, author of the book “The Sultana Tragedy” (#3 on this list), wrote the forward for Salecker’s book. Quite an honor!

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2. “Sultana: The Worst Maritime Disaster in American History” by Alan Huffman (2010)

Alan Huffman’s book on the Sultana is packed full of stats and stories. However, his is a narrative seen through the eyes of an actual Sultana survivor. Huffman takes you through the Civil War into Andersonville Prison and onto the Sultana through the first-hand perspective of this brave young man. The facts are 100% historically accurate, but what this author manages to achieve that no other author does is a personalization of the events of this horrific maritime disaster.

Alan Huffman also thanks author Jerry O. Potter in the acknowledgements section of his book.

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3. “The Sultana Tragedy: America’s Greatest Maritime Disaster” by Jerry O. Potter (1992)

Jerry Potter is a Memphis lawyer. His book on the Sultana disaster is written as if he is prosecuting history! I can see why so many other Sultana historians take the time to thank him in their books.

Potter’s book is filled with maps, charts, diagrams, all coherently laced together with facts and a narrative that will leave you spellbound. In short, Jerry O. Potter did his homework in writing this book because he has researched and brought to light every aspect of this maritime tragedy from the ship’s construction to political connections in Washington to the aftermath of the SS Sultana in history. It is an indispensable read on the subject!

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4. “Cahaba Prison and the Sultana Disaster” by William Bryant (1990)

Although William Bryant’s book focuses mainly on the Cahaba Prison in Alabama, it does mention the SS Sultana quite extensively – a fact underscored by it also being referenced in the title.

This book dedicates the last two chapters to the Sultana disaster and its aftermath exclusively. While it might seem to skim data in comparison to other books on the subject, what I like about Bryant is that he writes comparatively. By that I mean he compares various sources on the subject and contrasts those sources as to the validity of their conclusions.

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5. “Cahaba: Captive Boys in Blue” by Jesse Hawes (2015)

According to William O. Bryant’s book (#4 on the list), Jesse Hawes’ “Cahaba: Captive Boys in Blue” is the preeminent first-hand account of a Cahaba Prison survivor. Originally published in 1888, it became a literary success primarily because it was the only in-depth narrative about Cahaba Prison at the time.

Hawes’ book has been subsequently re-published many times, mine is the 2015 version. Even historian Jerry Potter relies on Jesse Hawes’ sketches and stories in his book, as do many others. Although this book is not a Sultana disaster book per se, it is referenced (reverenced) by all the great Sultana giants in their works. It is also important because the Cahaba and Andersonville prisons contributed the bulk of the passengers on America’s worst maritime disaster.

The one shortcoming of this book is that there is NO INDEX. It is almost a historical tragedy of its own not to have included an index in any of the re-publishings of this book.

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6. “Loss of the Sultana” by Chester Berry (2012)

Reverend Chester Berry’s book on the Sultana disaster is another historical masterpiece. Originally published in 1892, it was the first-ever book on the subject. What sets this book apart from all the others is that it is neither a first-hand narrative or a historical retelling of the events of the sinking of the Sultana in 1865, it is both.

As a survivor of the Sultana sinking himself, Chester Berry tells us his story. Far beyond that, he also features the vignettes of 134 other survivors (Salecker 1996: 291) so that the book is essentially a compilation of first-hand, eye-witness stories of this epic American tragedy.

Of paramount interest to those who have ancestors that were aboard the SS Sultana is a list of all of its passengers in the index section of this book. This is an essential genealogical commodity. My 3x great grandfather and 2x great-grand-uncle are listed in there.

On a side note: there is also a 2005 version of this book published by the University of Tennessee Press featuring a foreword by Dr. David Madden. Not only has Dr. Madden written many Civil War books himself, he also mentions the Association of Sultana Descendants in his foreword and the important work they do.

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7. “Sultana Index to Chester Berry” ed. by Kim Harrison (1991)

As the title to this book implies, this is a companion list to the index section of Rev. Chester Berry’s book. Its utilitarian value comes in its improvements. Unlike Berry’s original list which was organized according by regiment only, Harrison’s list is alphabetized by soldier’s last name, by military unit, subject, as well as by photographic index.

It contains all of the names of the passengers, both survivors and those that perished in the Sultana disaster. It is another genealogical resource, although a somewhat duplicated one.

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8. “Civil War Reminiscence” by James Robert Collins (1908)

Pictured above: James Robert Collins (1844-1919). This is the first-hand account of James Robert Collins who survived the sinking of the Sultana on April 27, 1865. His is a touching story of bravery and heroism in an attempt to find and save his father while the ship was on fire and sinking into the Mississippi river in the middle of the night.

His account is not a book, but rather an article that was published in the Plainville Times in Plainville, Kansas in 1909. It was first featured there and has been preserved by family members ever since.

James Robert Collins is my 2nd great-grand uncle; his father, Joseph Henry Collins, who was lost to the Sultana disaster, is my 3rd great-grandfather. James Robert Collins’ story can be read at the following external source: http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/sultana.htm.

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9. “Sinking The Sultana” by Sally Walker (2017)

According to Amazon, this book is only 208 pages and is intended for grades 5 -6 so it is not necessarily a comprehensive Sultana book. It comes in a hardcover or Kindle version.

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10. “Explosion of the SS Sultana” by the Charles River Editors (2014)

There are 2 books put out by the Charles River Editors: this one (#10) and the next on my list (#11). This book is a very concise accounting of the Sultana Disaster at only 32 pages. According to their Amazon site, the Charles River Editors are a “digital publishing company that creates compelling, educational content” – while it may be educational, this book seems to be neither compelling nor contain much content.

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11. “America’s Deadliest Shipwrecks” by the Charles River Editors (2016)

This book is a mini-history on various American shipwrecks, which includes, ipso facto, the Sultana. At only 112 pages, the treatment of the Sultana sinking must be minuscule; however, it does reference our ship and therefore is included.

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12. “Transport to Disaster” by James Elliott (1962)

While the cover and byline are enticing, it is hard to find any more information about this book, including any worthwhile reviews. The book itself is 247 pages and only comes in a hardcover edition. I would like to get my hands on a copy of this book just for my collection; however, I’d like to read a few reviews first.

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13. “The Sultana Saga” by Rex T. Jackson (2010)

The subtitle of this book is “The Titanic of the Mississippi” which is appropriate to the content. At 136 pages, Jackson’s book is another lightweight treatment of the Sultana saga; however, it has gotten fairly good reviews so that is a plus for anyone looking to this list to find good reads on the subject.

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14. “Forgotten History: The Sultana Disaster” by James White [Kindle] (2016)

This is a Kindle book, it does not come in any physical format. It’s product description on Amazon says that it is 4684 KB and 23 pages in length so one can only imagine what it actually contains, or doesn’t contain, in comparison to other books. While this publication might not be nearly as academic as others, it is nonetheless a source on the subject of the Sultana.

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15. “Indiana and the Sultana Disaster” by Robert Smith (2015)

Robert R. Smith’s book is the story of a John H. King and his experiences in relationship to the Sultana. The book details his participation in the Civil War, his imprisonment in Andersonville Prison in Georgia, as well as his trials on board the sinking of the Sultana. Finally, it also details the traumas of his life as he returns home and attempts to cope with the nightmares he’s lived through.

John H. King is the great-great grandfather of author Robert R. Smith, so this is a special book as it is a family history resource that venerates an ancestor.

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16. “Sultana: Epic Disaster on the Mississippi” by Joe W. Smith (2010)

The full title of this book is “Sultana : Epic Disaster on the Mississippi, the Almost Forgotten Story of Sultana Steamboat Explosion. A Story Too Incredible Not to Be True! (Civil War in the Ozarks).” However, I cannot find much else about it other than it has an ISBN. Oh my, I think that title is longer than this review.

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17. “Yours: The Civil War, a Love Triangle, and the Steamboat Sultana” by Lila Sybesma (2019)

As the title implies this is a historical fiction, more like a romantic historical fiction. Geared more toward young adult readers, it is the story of 3 fictitious characters who grow up around the Civil War, fight, and are tragically reunited aboard the Sultana. It’s 321 pages. It’s gotten very good reviews on Amazon.

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18. “Fire In The Water” by James Thom (2015)

This is another Sultana novel. At 376 pages, it’s about a Union soldier returning home after a stint in Andersonville Prison. Like the other Sultana fictional novels, the main focus of the storyline is centered around the Sultana disaster in 1865.

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19. “Steamboat Disasters on the Western Waters (Abridged, Annotated)” by James Lloyd (2016)

Lloyd’s publication is more of a composite history of steamboat disasters, it is not a dedicated Sultana history. It only mentions the SS Sultana 5 times. Nevertheless, some scholars might find it useful in comparing the tragedy on the Mississippi on April 27, 1865 with other disasters historically. It is 215 pages.

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20. “Disasters and Tragic Events” ed. by Mitchell Newton-Matza (2015)

The subtitle of this book is “An Encyclopedia of Catastrophes in American History” and that basically tells you all you need to know. It is a 2-volume, 789 page resource on a wide range of catastrophes from the 1939 stock market crash to the sinking of the Sultana. It mentions the Sultana 32 times.

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21. “Emma Eileen Grove: Mississippi 1865” by Kathleen Duey (1996)

Duey’s book is another historical novel for young adult readers. These publications are meant to engage younger readers and have them develop an appreciation for history. At 144 pages the target reading age is grades 4-6.

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22. “TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD: Long Road to the Sultana” by Dr. Nancy Hendricks (2015)

Dr. Hendricks’ novel is promoted as being “‘Gone With the Wind’ meets ‘Titanic’!” which I think is brilliant marketing. As an award-winning author, this Sultana book is in the same vein as others whose story revolves around the sinking of the Sultana in 1865. This novel is 365 pages and has gotten very good reviews.

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23. “The Journal of the Fort Smith Historical Society: Volume VI Number 2, September 1982 – The Arkansas River Steamboat Issue” by Fitzjarrald, Martin, and Jameson (1982)

This publication that includes the Sultana disaster might be of interest to any Sultana historian or collector. Copies may be obtained from the Fort Smith Historical Society (Arkansas) back issues page. This journal also has an Amazon page with more information about its contents. The Sultana disaster seems to be only a small subset of the entire journal.

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24. “Sultana’s Road to the Final Voyage” by Norman Vickers [Kindle] (2011)

This is a Kindle-only publication. Consisting of 393 pages, it is a narrative of a Union soldier named James and his trials aboard the SS Sultana on his way home after the war. It’s reviews are mixed.

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25. “It Happened on the Mississippi River” by James Crutchfield (2008)

Crutchfield’s book contains 30 stories of Mississippi River events and disasters, including the Sultana. It is not dedicated exclusively to the Sultana but rather a resource for comparing other events along the mighty Mississippi. At 160 pages, this publication is a part of a larger series entitled the “It Happened in Series.”

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26. Sultana History Societies [Web]

In addition to books, journals, and ebooks, there are an abundance of websites dedicated to the preservation of the memory of the Sultana. The site I would recommend is: https://www.rememberthesultana.com/ because they actually publish material for public consumption on a regular basis. They have a “Newsletter” and “Articles” section on their website. I would also recommend: https://www.thesultanaassociation.com/.

You can learn more about Sultana reunions at the Family History Foundation as well.

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27. Wikipedia Sources [Web]

Wikipedia is obviously a go-to resource for many researchers and the Sultana Wikipedia page has a slew of them. I have MORE books listed in this article than Wikipedia does. However, what the Wiki page does have that I have not included are newspaper articles, videos, and other minutiae. Check out the “Resources” and “Further Reading” sections.

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28. “Hiram’s Hope” by Max Terman (2014)

This novel is based on the author’s actual ancestor who fought in the Civil War, and like many an unfortunate soldier found himself imprisoned in Andersonville. After being released, Hiram was aboard the steamship Sultana when it sank; he fortunately survived to have his story told by his descendant, Max Terman. At 260 pages, this seems like a very compelling read.

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29. “Like A River: A Civil War Novel” by Kathy Wiechman (2015)

This is a historical fiction novel, “age 9 and up that culminates with (rather than focuses on) the Sultana disaster” (source: Kathy Wiechman 2019). This novel won the Grateful American Book Prize in 2015. The book is 336 pages and has gotten extremely positive reviews on Amazon.

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30. “Sultana Awaits: A Civil War Thriller” by Paul Andrews [Kindle] (2016)

Paul Andrews’ book is Kindle only; however, at 233 pages it is a Sultana story that has been historically researched. Based primarily on the paragons of Sultana history Gene Salecker and Jerry Potter, it is a gripping account of the life and death choices that everyone on board the sinking Sultana were forced to make that fateful night in April 27, 1865.

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31. Blue & Gray Magazine “The Sultana Disaster” (Aug 1990)

This is probably a pretty rare magazine to come by. However, you can find them online at and order back issues at https://blueandgraymagazine.com/.

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32. “Weary Road” by James Babb (September 2019)

This book is based on a true story about a boy, his dog, and the Thirteenth Illinois Infantry Regiment. Caught in the middle of fulfilling a promise, the main character of the book gets drawn into the Civil War where Cahaba and the Sultana are referenced.

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33. “The Sultana: Chronicle of a Civil War Disaster” by Alice Louise Morrison (November 2019)

This is a young adult / adult historical fiction account of the Sultana Disaster from the perspective of a 13 year-old boy and his dog who were aboard the Sultana. The narrative is a fictional first-hand account of what was going on aboard the ship from one person’s perspective.

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34. “Crossing the Deadline: Stephen’s Journey Through the Civil War” by Michael Shoulders (August 2016)

This is the story of Stephen who joins the Union army to fight in the Civil War, enlisting as the private bugler to a Colonel. Stephen’s older brother joins previously and the protagonist finally does so after the war ravages the country. His experience includes the steamer Sultana and its fateful voyage.

35. “Destruction of the Steamboat Sultana” by Gene Salecker (March 2022)

This is the latest offering from Gene Salecker, the living authority on the Sultana Disaster. From publishing the #1 book on this list “Disaster on the Mississippi,” to hosting numerous Sultana Reunions, Gene Salecker’s publications are highly sought out and valued. I’m hoping for more additional information and research to come to light in this publication as any Sultana descendant or enthusiast will appreciate this author’s scholarship.

36. “I Fear We Shall Never See Home Again” by Michael J. Joslin (November 2020)

This is the story of five boys from Coldwater, Michigan and their nearly 4 year adventure in the Civil War. The book centers around the main character named William Lester Faurot and his four compatriots, who after being called up into the war, ultimately ended up on the fated steamship Sultana. They, like so many Union soldiers were subjected to the horrors of the Cahaba Prison. The author is very knowledgeable and passionate about his research and story, even to the point of gaining Gene Salecker’s blessing to publish his work – the world definitely needs more conscientious authors like this!

37. “The Sultana Disaster” by Joseph Taylor Elliot (1913)

This publication is archived by the Indiana Historical Society by a survivor of the Sultana disaster and Andersonville prison in Georgia. It is a well-written, poignant account of one soldier’s release from prison in 1865 and what he thought would be his joyous journey home. It was not to be, and Elliot’s 39-page account is a gripping narrative indeed, thankfully this story can be found digitized online (link) and is included in Ancestry’s genealogical card catalogue.

What makes this read of particular importance is that not only does, Elliot gives us his first-hand account over the first 26 pages, but he then produces documentary evidence against the owners and officials involved in the Sultana incident and claims: “I think the government has tried to minimize the loss of life” (page 26, 186 of the journal).

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PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE MISSED ANYTHING OR ANY OF THE INFORMATION THAT I HAVE CATALOGUED NEEDS CORRECTION. USE THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.