Sultana, Junior Rangers at VNMP this weekend

Published 3:47 pm Friday, April 24, 2015

Vicksburg National Military Park will commemorate an often-forgotten solemn chapter in local history Friday before a day of family activities Saturday.

At 7 p.m., ranger Jake Koch will present a free program on the 150th anniversary of the Sultana’s departure from Vicksburg.

The Sultana left Vicksburg April 24, 1865, loaded with more than 2,400 former prisoners of war that were on their way home after being held in places such as Camp Sumter, better known as Andersonville Prison, Koch said.

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Three days later, the boat exploded near Memphis killing an estimated 1,800 passengers.

“It is still the worst maritime disaster in American history,” Koch said.

The program will give an overview of the Sultana story, explain some of the theories about how it was sunk, and look into why the tragedy has been overlooked for so long.

From 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. Saturday, the park will celebrate Junior Ranger Day in conjunction with National Parks Week, ranger David Slay said.

“There will be light refreshments, ranger talks, hands-on children’s activities, military drills for the kids, U.S.S. Cairo tours and Living History weapons demonstrations throughout the day,” Slay said in an email.

The park had originally announced ranger day for April 18 but severe weather caused the event to be postponed.

Admission to the park is $8 per vehicle, and there are no additional charges for Junior Ranger Day activities, Slay said.