Chocktaw

[Paulrjordan]

So this is the "CHOCTAW"..I love her....she looks so incredibly
EVIL!!! I had no idea that there were paddlers like this...so thank
you Tony and Derek for covering this fascinating thread. It's TRULY
amazing how much I have learned from so many of you in our
"Paddleducks" group.(and particularly from our OZ contingent!)

When time permits, I'll open up a FILE folder for U.S CIVIL WAR
PADDLERS (two sections Union and Confederates)..oh the heck with
it..I'll do it right now ,so you can start putting info in.

PJ

[HBelflower]

P.J.

One of the worst marine disasters in U.S. naval history occurred shortly
after the end of the Civil War. A sternwheeler, I beleve the "Sultana",
overloaded with Union soldiers who had been POWs during the war was taking
them north on the Mississippi. The ship suffered a boiler explosion and
caught fire and burned to the waterline. Over 1600 soldiers died. I believe
that this happened near Memphis and that the lower part of the vessel can
still be seen in the mud flats where she was run aground. Need to check my
history to be certain of the facts.

Additionally, nearly all of the shipos on the Mississippi during the war
years were paddlewheelers and many were ironclads. The battle of Vicksburg
was fought by the Union forces against the Confederates with a number of
ironclads used to fire against the Confederate embattlements along the
waterfront. Unfortunately, they won the day.

Harry