Missouri Steamboat Sank in 1856, Found More than 130 Years Later

It was a cool September day in 1856 when a mighty steamboat on the Missouri River sank to the bottom after hitting a tree hidden under the waters. The goods it carried were lost for more than a century, but now you can see the 200 tons of goods that the steamboat was loaded with before it sank.

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The Steamboat Arabia sank on September 5, 1856 when it hit a tree snag in the Missouri River. Fortunately, no human lives were lost that day. Only a mule that was tied to sawmill equipment was lost according to Wikipedia. This is what's left of that tree.

The goods that the Steamboat Arabia carried were nearly lost until researchers found them in 1988. Some of the items recovered included numerous locks and keys and door mechanisms.

There were also a collection of rifles common during the mid-1800's.

Need any cooking pots and pans? The Steamboat Arabia were carrying more than a few.

No matter what size of boot or shoes you wear, you'd likely find a pair to fit you among these goods.

Among the items found by researchers of the sunken steamboat was a menu showing a tasty roast and many pudding options.

Jewelry and golden thimbles were also recovered with other decorative items, too.

All of these items and more are something you can see in person at the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City. It's almost like the Missouri/Kansas version of the Titanic. The goods and lives it carried are a peek back at a completely different era when steamboats ruled the waters more than 170 years ago.