One fine day, while digging through his cornfield, David struck some metal. Curious as to what it might be, he decided to call some enforcement and dig deeper. When the team arrived, they couldn't believe their eyes.
After and days and nights of strenuous work, the picture started getting clearer - it was a gigantic steamer hidden here for years. But why was it hidden for so long? The old and terrific mysteries were about to be finally revealed.
The Arabia
The Arabia was a paddle steamer that sank over 160 years ago. Back in September 1856, a steamboat called Arabia left the port of Kansas city in the United States.
It sailed up the Missouri river on a routine business trip. The task at hand was to deliver 200 tons of construction material to aid the construction of 16 new towns. Why was that steamer so special?
Incredible Finds
If you think that this was going to be another regular voyage, you are dead wrong. Something terrible had been written in the fate of Arabia. It fell prey to destiny as it never reached its destination.
Instead, it formulated one of the most talked-about shipwrecks in the history of mankind, with numerous mysteries staying unrevealed for decades.
The Beginning
On a fateful day in September 1856, all the cargo was loaded up in Arabia as it prepared to sail in the Missouri River. Everything went about in a normal fashion as all the crew was excited to undertake yet another voyage.
The journey up to the Missouri river was a little tricky but Arabia had some nifty tricks up its sleeves to counter the anomalies which might come in its way.
Development
Arabia had one major task to accomplish – to boost the development of the nation. As we mentioned earlier as well, the task was at hand to deliver 200 tons of construction material.
The material was to be transported to aid the construction of 16 new towns that were being built on the western frontier of the States.
Era of Exploration
It wouldn’t be wrong if we said that it was an era of exploration. Tens of thousands of people were flocking to the wild west. These brave men and women were establishing new colonies in the west.
The construction of factories and residential buildings was going in full swing. Arabia had a key role to play in it but sadly, destiny had other plans for this steamer.
Different Means of Travel
People were choosing different means of travel to reach the west. Some travelled overland by foot, some people opted for railways. A bunch of people were also seen travelling to the west riding horseback.
A select few also chose to sail up the Missouri River to reach the west. Arabia was on one such mission where it was battling everything that the river threw at it.
Only Three-year-old
The steamboat Arabia was only three years old, making it comparatively younger than other steamboats. It was strong and sturdy as it had already made multiple runs up and down the treacherous Missouri river.
It wasn’t an easy route as compared to other sailing routes. But Arabia was equipped with some nifty tricks up its sleeves which made the voyage a bit bearable.
Two Large Rowing Wheels
Arabia was equipped with two large rowing wheels on its sides. The rowing wheels allowed Arabia to manoeuvre pretty easily through dangerous shoals and snags.
The Missouri River had many shoals and snags which made sailing through it a pretty risky affair. But Arabia was strong and equipped with rowing wheels that made a considerable difference. Or did they?
A Dangerous And Risky Affair
Many ships and boats had already sunk in the Missouri river, making it one of the most dangerous voyages. But the construction material needed to land on the west anyhow.
Arabia’s crew was experienced enough to navigate through the course easily but danger lie ahead. And guess what? The crew didn’t even see it coming!
The Walnut Tree
While sailing westward, the steamboat’s helmsman was blinded by the glaring sun in his face. He failed to notice that a partially submerged trunk of a walnut tree was right there in the steamboat’s path.
By the time the helmsman could notice the trunk of the walnut tree and do something about it, it was already too late! The trunk of the tree tore through the steamboat’s thick oak hole.
Ship Sank Within Minutes
As the thick oak was already penetrated by the trunk, it didn’t take long for water to flood through the gaping holes. The water started getting accumulate in the bottom of the ship, making it sink further down.
A few minutes later, it was concluded by the crew that they were indeed going down. They were right as the ship sank within minutes!
People on The Upper Decks
Fortunately, the river was too shallow and muddy at that particular point so the people who were on the upper decks had enough time to save themselves.
They all made it safely to the shore as the ship slowly submerged under the water. Everyone might have made it to the shore but the ship took one mule and a lot of cargo with it.
One Mule
It was soon discovered that not everyone and everything could make it back to the shore. The crew soon realized that there was one mule who couldn’t make it and drowned with the ship.
Apart from the unfortunate mule, there was a lot of cargo that remained on the ship while it was sinking.
The Difficult Job
As soon as the crew got hang of what happened, they started the operation to salvage some of the goods that went with the Arabia.
But the muddy water and the fast current made the job too difficult for the rescuers.
Untouched
Since they couldn’t get the cargo and other stuff out of the steamboat, the steamer and all its contents were left lying untouched at the bottom of the river.
The rescuers tried very hard but failed miserably. At last, they gave up and returned home.
The River Changed its Course
If you are familiar with geography, you might know that rivers change their course. The same thing happened with the Missouri river as well, as it changed its course decades later.
It ended up about a mile from the former site of the tragedy. Arabia completely vanished under the silk mud.
Exact Location Lost
In the 20th century, it was discovered that the place where the steamship sank, became a field. The exact location of Arabia’s shipwreck was lost.
No matter how hard people tried to find the shipwreck, they found no success. The sad story of Arabia soon became a legend in the local area. The Arabia remained hidden from the world for more than a century. Until…
Persistent Rumours
It might have been lost but it was surely not forgotten. There was a persistent rumour among the locals that the ship was carrying whiskey bottles and lots of gold.
Needless to say, it attracted a lot of attention from treasure hunters across the globe. There were countless unsuccessful attempts to find the buried shipwreck and all the stuff that drowned with it.
David Howley – The Man!
After many unsuccessful attempts, a man named David Howley made a huge discovery! This discovery would leave everyone stunned!
In 1987, with the help of metal detectors, weather maps and old newspaper clippings, he finally found the place where the Arabia was buried!
More Details About Arabia
Arabia was a proper steamship of considerable dimensions. Its length was about 52 metres and the steamship was capable of carrying around 222 tons of cargo.
The Arabia was buried at a depth of 13.5 metres so it was pretty much understandable that excavating the sunken ship wasn’t going to be an easy task. A lot of manpower and mechanical assistance was needed to carry out the operation.
Huge Excavators
As a result, huge excavators and cranes were needed to carry out the operation. The site where the ship was buried was soon flocked by huge excavators and a crane standing by.
Everyone who was present there was very excited about the stuff that was soon going to be recovered.
A Hole the Size of A Soccer Field
Given the dimensions of the ship and the length at which it was buried under the mud, the rescuers had to dig a hole the size of a soccer field. It was a tedious task, but everyone was determined!
The operation was going on in full swing with excavators trying with their all their might to excavate the ship. But they never thought, what they would unearth.
Things That Were Recovered at First
After days of digging and careful excavation, people present there could finally see the Arabia emerging from the mud. They could see the walnut tree’s trunk still inside the ship.
When they dug even deeper, they finally found the bones of a long-dead mule that sank with the ship. They also recovered hundreds of misclleaneous merchandise.
Arabia’s Resurrection
It took almost a year of intensive excavation when Arabia finally emerged from the ground, completely! It was now time to thoroughly go through Arabia to recover even more stuff from it.
A lot of cargo went down with the ship when it hit the walnut tree. And that's not it!
More Stuff Surfaces
Over the next few months, countless precious artifacts were discovered including several boxes and crates. They were filled with everyday items and intended for everyday life like castor oil, nutmeg, clothes, shoes, needles, guns, hammers and pocket knives.
The people who were carrying out the operation also managed to recover eyeglasses and earrings. It was as if everyone was teleported back in time ...
Insights Into Their Lifestyle
Today, many of these exhibits can be seen in the museum. The artefacts and other stuff that were recovered from the shipwreck, now provide a deep insight into the lifestyle lead by the people of that era.
Researchers got to learn a lot of things from the recovered items like the fashion trends, traditions and the way of life of those times. It was magnificent and awe-inspiring!
The Arabia Steamboat Museum
All of these items are now on display in the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas city. Several people visit the museum every year to see all the things that were recovered from the shipwreck.
Sure, there wasn’t any gold or whiskey bottles but it remains a matter of intrigue anyway. Afterall, when hasn't a shipwreck interested people?
A full-size Replica
Apart from the hundreds of thousands of items, the museum also has a full-size replica of the main deck of Arabia. Yes, we are not kidding!
You can go down and see the archival footage of the excavating process and information about the history of Arabia. The original boilers, engine and anchor of Arabia as well as the skeleton of the dead mule are also on display.