After the Steam Engine was developed, travel to the West exploded when settlers could move to the west more easily by steamboat than by covered wagon.
The Missouri River was one of the major routes even though the river was highly turbulent and unpredictable. 400 steamboats were sunk in this period.
Steamboat Arabia carried 200 tons of cargo, many wealthy families and all of their possessions. It sank in 1856. Fortunately all 130 passengers survived but no one could find any trace of the ship until 132 years later.
Many treasure hunters attempted location of the ship but eventually locating the ruins several miles away from the edge of the river and buried deep in mud because the river keeps changing course over time.
Modern technology helped them determine where and how deep the wreck was, but devising a way to divert the water 48 feet down was quite a challenge.
They retrieved this much of the ship
and had to devise methods to keep it from oxidizing and crumbling.
Rumors were that there were 400 barrels of the finest Kentucky Bourbon.
Well, maybe there were 4 and it was fine stuff.
Rumors also had it that the ship had tons of gold and money.
5 gold rings.
4 coins (26 cents!)
but full sets of fine English China
The goods retrieved from the ship is a picture of the pre-Civil War living items.
The founders have decided to share the findings with the public as they continue to restore the items found and share their story.
The restoration is possible because the ship and all the contents were covered by 45 feet of sediment and water, and with no oxygen available all the contents were preserved including a jar of pickles (which the owner relished eating!)
Scale model of the ship.
Part of the actual log that the ship struck and broke off and was still sticking in the hull of the ship.
The restored paddel wheel from the ship
A great museum tour.
Miss you all.
