Steamboat Arabia sank suddenly in 1856 in the Missouri River near Kansas City, after striking a submerged tree. All 130 persons survived, but over 200 tons of frontier cargo was lost including dishware, china, tools, guns, hardware, clothing, beads, buttons, French perfume, medicine and bottled foods. Excavated in 1988-89, the largest pre-Civil War artifact collection in the world has been preserved and is on display at the Arabia Steamboat Museum. www.1856.com

400 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106

Photo by Greg Hawley