Sultana Steamboat Disaster Commemorative Coin Act of 2023

Bill 118 hr 1388, also known as the Sultana Steamboat Disaster Commemorative Coin Act of 2023, aims to honor the victims of the Sultana steamboat disaster by authorizing the minting and issuance of commemorative coins. The Sultana steamboat disaster occurred on April 27, 1865, when the steamboat Sultana exploded and sank in the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee. It remains the deadliest maritime disaster in United States history, with an estimated 1,800 to 1,900 lives lost.

The bill calls for the minting of up to 50,000 $1 silver coins, 400,000 $1 clad coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins, all of which will feature designs emblematic of the Sultana steamboat disaster. The coins will be sold to the public at a price that includes a surcharge, with the proceeds going towards the preservation of the Sultana disaster site and educational programs related to the disaster.

The bill has garnered bipartisan support in Congress, with lawmakers from both parties recognizing the importance of commemorating this tragic event in American history. If passed, the Sultana Steamboat Disaster Commemorative Coin Act of 2023 will serve as a lasting tribute to the victims of the Sultana disaster and ensure that their memory is preserved for future generations.