On September 5, 1856 the Great White Ariabia hit a snag 10 miles upriver from Kansas City. It sank in 15 feet of water with its top deck protruding above the water where passengers waited to be rescued. They were rescued. The next day men returned to salvage the 200 tons of cargo onboard. They found the Ariabia had sunk into the muddy bottom with only the top of the smoke stacks peering above the water.
One hundred and thirty two years later in 1988 five steamboat enthusiasts found her a half mile from the Missouri River 45 feet down in a corn field. A salvage operation commenced and the recovered cargo, every thing one would need to survive and thrive on the frontier, is now displayed at the Steamboat Arabia Museum. The cargo was well preserved due to the oxygen free mud cocoon.
| The water table is at 11feet, six irrigation pumps were used to keep the site workable. |
The boilers
ornate power flasks
The Arabia carried more than two tons of metal tools, hardware, hinges, hooks and latches for frontier homes. There were horse shoes, iron rods, grinding stones, chains and wagon wheels to furnish a frontier blacksmith's shop.
Trade beads
Brass buckles
The Arabia's recovered cargo includes
4,000 hand-crafted leather boots and shoes.
Porcelain buttons from France and
trade beads from Italy & Bohemia.
"Friburg" Davenport Ironstone
The excellent state of preservation and the sheer volume of items is amazing.
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