How a Champagne-Laden Steamship Ended Up in a Kansas Cornfield

Discussion in 'All Things Boats & Boating' started by brian eiland, Jul 27, 2016.

  1. brian eiland
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    brian eiland Senior Member

  2. Rurudyne
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    Rurudyne Senior Member

    Here's hoping they have the good sense to put her engines and running gear on display.
     
  3. Tiny Turnip
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    Tiny Turnip Senior Member

    Its an amazing find. I imagine just the research and locating of the Arabia was a considerable undertaking, never mind the excavation - under 45 feet of mud! It will be interesting to see what the Malta yields.

    The sinking of these large paddle steamers seems to be a not uncommon event, and shows how hazardous navigating the Missouri/Mississippi must have been.

    I've just read about the tragedy of the Sultana:

    http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2001/05/0501_river5.html
     
  4. SamSam
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    SamSam Senior Member

  5. Rurudyne
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    Rurudyne Senior Member

    Maybe should go in the Boat Jokes but to "answer" how a steamship ended up in a cornfield: Aliens!
     

  6. PAR
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    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    This isn't uncommon and can been seen around the developed world, where large rivers once permitted significant traffic. Through the 19th century and into the 20th, rivers moved, some diverted for dams, others irrigation, etc. so the shoreside derelicts left to die, came up high and dry. Many just rotted, some were cut up and others buried, as they found it simpler or cheaper. Many western cities in the USA grew so fast, that they literally built right over existing waterfronts, ships, boats, wharves and all, literally burying everything as they went, typically with spoilage just off shore. Have a look at San Francisco's buried boat history and it's pretty amazing.
     
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