Did you know that a steamboat loaded with over 200 tons of cargo sank in the Missouri River in 1856? Did you know that the same steamboat and its treasures were uncovered 132 years later, buried 45 feet underground and a half-mile away from the river?
▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 – Intro
00:59 – The Steamboat Arabia
02:15 – The Sinking
03:05 – Legends of the Lost Steamboat
03:56 – The Excavation Begins
05:01 – Recovering a Time Capsule
05:47 – Preserving the Arabia’s Treasures
06:27 – Building the Arabia Steamboat Museum
07:30 – The Enduring Allure of the Arabia
09:03 – Outro
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The Steamboat Arabia, built in 1853, met its fate on September 5, 1856, when it struck a submerged sycamore tree snag near Parkville, Missouri. The snag tore open the hull, and the boat rapidly sank, vanishing beneath the muddy waters of the Missouri River. Miraculously, all the passengers and crew escaped unharmed, with the only casualty being a mule tied to equipment below deck.
For over a century, the Arabia lay forgotten, its exact location lost to time. Tales of the sunken steamboat circulated as legends in the nearby towns and among the family who purchased the land where it rested. It wasn’t until 1987 that Bob Hawley and his sons, Greg and David, set out to find the lost vessel. Using old maps and modern technology, they pinpointed its location and began an excavation that would capture the nation’s imagination.
On November 26, 1988, the Arabia emerged from its watery grave. As the excavation progressed, an astonishing array of perfectly preserved artifacts came to light. Fine china, clothing, tools, guns, and even the world’s oldest pickles were among the thousands of items recovered. The mud that had encased the Arabia for 132 years had acted as an effective preserver, providing an unparalleled glimpse into life on the American frontier in the 1850s.
Today, the treasures of the Steamboat Arabia are housed at the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. Visitors can marvel at the largest collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the world, with each item telling a story of the people and the time. The museum offers a unique opportunity to step back into the past and connect with American history more personally and tangibly.
The story of the Arabia is one of tragedy and triumph, of loss and rediscovery. It weaves together the perils of steamboat travel, the determination of modern-day treasure hunters, and the dedication of preservationists who work tirelessly to protect and share these priceless artifacts. The Steamboat Arabia and its cargo, lost for generations, have been given a second life as cherished pieces of American history, offering an unparalleled window into a bygone era.
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