Wreckage!

They claimed it to be the pinnacle of technological advancement, an unsinkable marvel. When the Titanic tragically sank, it became globally renowned. This disaster's notoriety stemmed from these factors, but regrettably, it was not the sole large-scale shipwreck. Unfortunately, there have been cases far worse than the Titanic's tragedy.

One such incident took place on April 27, 1865. The Sultana Steamboat operated daily between St. Louis and New Orleans, carrying passengers and cargo. This sizable wooden vessel, spanning 260 feet in length and 70 feet in width, boasted three decks, nearly twice the size of a basketball court.

While the ship could accommodate around 350 passengers, on that ill-fated day, over 2,000 people were aboard. On April 23, during a routine voyage from New Orleans, the Sultana encountered a breakdown. A malfunction in the boiler forced the vessel to dock in Vicksburg for repairs.

At the port, Captain James Cass Mason discovered an opportunity to earn a substantial sum of money. The captain agreed to transport a large group of former prisoners to the north. However, the boiler required extensive repair time. Fearful of losing the opportunity to competitors, Mason made the ill-advised decision to set sail despite the boiler's malfunction. Instead of conducting proper repairs, he hastily patched up the boiler's holes. Furthermore, all the ex-prisoners were invited aboard, mingling with ordinary passengers.

With a broken boiler, an excess number of passengers, a scarcity of lifeboats, and unfavorable river conditions, the stage was set for potential disaster. Yet, the captain's greed to amass greater wealth outweighed these risks. The Sultana embarked on its voyage, traversing the river for two days. During this time, one of the largest Mississippi floods in history surged forth. The river overflowed, submerging the shores and reducing trees to mere protruding tops amidst the water. Against this powerful current, the ship persisted, placing excessive strain on the overworked boiler.

On the evening of April 26, the Sultana arrived in Memphis, Tennessee, where an additional 120 tons of sugar and 200 passengers were loaded. The ship grew incredibly heavy. Shortly after midnight, it resumed its perilous journey, sailing to barges to collect a shipment of coal. At 1 am, the vessel left the barge, and at 2 am, disaster struck. The burdened boiler, unable to withstand the load, exploded. The Sultana found itself a mere seven miles north of Memphis. Few individuals survived that fateful day. As the fire raged, those attempting to escape jumped into the cold, swift river.

The Sultana disaster remains the most tragic shipwreck in United States history. The precise number of lives lost remains unknown, with various sources estimating the casualties between 961 and 1,800 people. It is unsurprising that this story is relatively unknown. The Titanic tragedy occurred merely 12 days prior, and the nation was still reeling from the loss of Abraham Lincoln. Consequently, the Sultana's tragedy went largely unnoticed, as attention was directed elsewhere.

Among the numerous recent catastrophes, one unfolded in 2002. The Le Joola ferry, a Senegalese vessel, operated twice a week along the Dakar coast, ferrying passengers engaged in mango and palm oil trade. With modern rescue equipment and diligent maintenance, the ferry had experienced no significant issues during its daily voyages. However, after nearly a year of waiting for repairs, the ferry embarked on its final journey.

On September 26, 2002, Le Joola sailed between Southern Senegal and Dakar. At 11 PM, it set course