Arabia was only three years old and had already made many successful trips up and down the treacherous river.
But navigating the Missouri was a difficult and dangerous business.
The boat sank within minutes.
The only casualty was a solitary, forgotten mule that was tied to a piece of sawmill equipment.
Decades passed and the Missouri River cut a new path, shifting half a mile to the east.
Arabia remained hidden from the world for more than a century, but it was not forgotten.
After many failed attempts the boat was finally located by David Hawley in 1987.
All these items are now at display at the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas City, United States.
The yellow packing straw still visible thanks to the mud being such an effective preserver.
Photo credit: unknown
The museum in Kansas.
Photo credit:1856.com
The actual snag that sank Arabia found wedged in front of the hull.
Photo credit: unknown
The skeleton of the mule.
Photo credit:Brian Whitmarsh/Flickr
Arabias stern.
Photo credit:Lynae Zebest/Flickr
Arabias paddlewheel.
Photo credit: unknown
Photo credit:Kelly/Flickr
19th century China.
Photo credit:David Resz/Flickr
Hardware items.
Photo credit:David Resz/Flickr
Photo credit:Eric Langhorst/Flickr
Sources:1856.com/WikipediaviaImgur
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