What Was Found In The Remains Of A 150-Year-Old Steamboat Is Just Shocking

#1 The Steamboat Arabia

The mighty Steamboat Arabia was once a primary means of travel for many citizens of the American Frontier, making its living on the gleaming interstate of the Missouri River.

#2 One fateful evening

One fateful evening, the Steamboat Arabia met its nemesis - a submerged walnut tree! The tree ripped into the ship's hull, the pulled it down into the water.

#3 Saving lives

Somehow, the passengers were able to swim to safety. But what they left behind, is now rediscovered as a lost treasure!

#4 Over the last 132 years

Over the last 132 years, the Missouri shifted a half-mile to the east, and the remnants of the steamboat were sealed beneath the earth and clay. It was a forgotten legacy.

#5 Then in 1987...

In 1987, Bob Hawley and his sons began to pursue the dead Arabia. They used a proton magnetometer to pinpoint the likely location of the forgotten ship, and hence began digging.

#6 The long process

The process was long, and involved the removal of over 200,000 gallons of water and tons of mud.

#7 Finally, the treasure began to be unearthed.

The first pieces to be discovered in the wreck were a black shoe and a portion of the left paddlewheel.

#8 Next came a Chinese set, perfectly preserved in the mud!

#9 Full recovery

By November 1988, the entire hull of the steamboat was recovered and so was all that it held.

#10 Then came the edible stuff

The mud had so perfectly preserved the content was still edible. In fact, one of the researchers tested it by eating a pickle.

#11 All treasures in exhibit!

The cargo was transported to the Treasures of the Steamboat Arabia Museum in Kansas City.