Visiting the lab, I saw, among the artifacts being cleaned that day, a sawmill vise, cast-iron stove hinges and yet more shoes. Rather, it had come about by taking the Bible at face value, using it as a "road map" to guide our research, and then stepping out in faith and putting its details to the test in a tangible way. That may soon change. I produce daily conversations to uplift and inspire the people of the Kansas City area to make the world a better place. But just what lies in wait underneath this midwestern field remains a mystery to be uncovered this winter. The treasures contained within painting a vivid picture of western expansion and the treacherous frontier. The only town I know of that was named for a steamboat, Hawley said. The Malta is resting under a cornfield near the town named for it, Malta Bend, and the Radnor remains under the Missouri's waters near Boonville. Success! The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Receive top local news and columns every morning. David Hawley takes measurements at different points of the Malta steamboat's outline on Saturday. The locations of the metal, he said, aligned with the layout of a 19th century steamboat, with the highest concentrations in spots where an engine, boiler and paddle wheels would be. When the mighty Steamboat Arabia sank near Kansas City on September 5, 1856, she carried 200 tons of mystery cargo. Not by the cleverness of any individual, and certainly not by assuming that the Bible cannot be trusted. >> IF WE CAN FIND AND SECURE A LOCATION RIGHT NOW, WELL DIG IT NEXT YEAR. Discovered by an unlikely team of amateur historians 45 feet beneath a Kansas cornfield, the Steamboat Arabia is one of the best-preserved shipwrecks "That's as good of history as it gets, Hawley said. 2023 TV GUIDE, A FANDOM COMPANY. The treasures contained within painting a vivid picture of western expansion and the treacherous frontier. The condition was so pristine they could easily read the stamp on the sole, Goodyear Rubber Company., The first artifact found, the shoe was lying on the main deck of the Arabia. As other research efforts of the BASE Institute have proven in the past, Bible history and tradition are often completely opposite from one another. Find out where to watch online amongst 15+ services including Netflix, Hotstar, Hooq. The committed steamboat hunter grabbed his metal detector and GPS and started walking. Aboard the sidewheeled steamer was cargo for Peter Sarpy, Papin & Robidoux and other Chouteau trading posts and merchants along the Missouri River. Kansas City archaeologist John Fulmer was at the site when the drilling to outline the boat was finished on Saturday and was excited that the measurements matched those of the Malta. "People say, Oh, I know where it's at, Backes said smiling. "We knew it had to be here somewhere, Backes said. (Photo: New York Public Library/Public Domain). Two years later, he would find the Arabia. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Having confirmed Luke's precise details of the anchors' location - a "bay with a beach" (v. 39), a place where "two seas meet" (v. 41), the depth of "fifteen fathoms" (v. 28) - we then secured permission to examine the anchor stock itself. And, again based on the Luke's description in Acts, we believe we may have located the ruins of the inland Roman- style villa of Publius and his father, mentioned in Acts 28:7-8, which we would like to investigate further under Maltese oversight. Backes grew up on the farm and has lived in Malta Bend for much of his life. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. [Bob Cornuke can be contacted at the Biblical Archaeology Search & Exploration (BASE) Institute: (719) 540-9799 or www.baseinstitute.org.]. The cost to dig it up: $3 million. Synopsis Discovered by an unlikely team of amateur historians 45 feet beneath a Kansas cornfield, the Steamboat Arabia is one of the best-preserved shipwrecks in American history. When you get your lawn cut, you can see where youve been before.. You hit and you miss., Hawley's father owned a heating and cooling business, and in 1985 Hawley met a customer who "looked for steamboats, flying saucers and Bigfoot. Hawley, along with his father, brother and two friends, unearthed over 200 tons of items, the equivalent of 10 container trucks. (Photo: Courtesy of the Arabia Steamboat Museum). That may soon change. "It's the boat and it's full of stuff, Hawley said excitedly. Hawley has big dreams for the Malta and for future steamboat finds. Whether its your first visit to this favorite Kansas City attraction or you come every year, the treasures of the Steamboat Arabia will connect you to American history in a new and exciting way. >> JIM BACHES OWNS 1500 ACRES RIGHT WHERE THE MALTA SANK 200 YEARS AGO. He said there had been speculation for years that the boat was somewhere in the area, but was surprised to learn it was on his land. (Acts 27:40). Like walking into a pre-Civil War department store; the collections size is matched by the pristine condition of the artifacts. Three years later, the Malta is still underground. (Photo: Courtesy of the Arabia Steamboat Museum). Hawley has been searching for steamboat wrecks up and down the Missouri River for more than 30 years. The next morning they see a bay. Preserved fillings for fruit pies. No television provider needed. - English narration. (Photo:Courtesy of the Arabia Steamboat Museum). According to Acts 27:39, the sailors on Paul's ship didn't recognize their location. You wont find it on the first day and I didnt find it I dont think in the first year.After more than a year and around 300 miles of walking, Hawley had a strong hit. There was a problem saving your notification. Although usually celebrated with particular fervour in Valletta, it is a public holiday across the whole country, for this feast has for centuries held a special significance for the Maltese people. The discovery was truly a modern day treasure-hunting story at its best. As more and more facts emerged from our investigation, the possible search areas became fewer and fewer, until by the time our search team made our most recent trip to Malta, we had narrowed down our target sites to just two relatively small areas. Rumors said it was filled with gold, or hundreds of barrels of Kentucky bourbon. >> BEFORE I DID THIS, MY FAMILY RAN A HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING BUSINESS. His most significant is the Arabia, the centerpiece of the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas Citys River Market. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. The rig stopped Saturday afternoon as it rounded out the last corner, affirming David Hawleys suspicion of what it had been running into down below. JustWatch makes it easy to find out where you can legally watch your favorite movies & TV shows online. The vast engine boilers emerged, and the shape of the main deck gradually appeared from the earth. Its estimated between 300 and 400 boats have sunk along the Missouri River. Researchers claim to have identified an anchor from St. Paul's shipwreck on the island of Malta. Thank you for reading! According to David Hawley, the leader. Most important, we want to continue documenting evidence of the Bible's reliability so that we can put into the hands of "everyday" Christians quality materials that will not only boost their confidence in the Bible, but provide them with tools for effectively leading others to Christ and building up Christians in their faith. It was here in 1856 that the Arabia sank after hitting a snag of a sycamore tree, sinking in minutes. BUT HIDDEN IN THESE FIELDS IS ANOTHER KIND OF GOLD. Ours is a tale of treasures lost, says Hawley. Hawley wondered if it was the Malta. Aboard the sidewheeled steamer was cargo for Peter Sarpy, Papin & Robidoux and other Chouteau trading posts and merchants along the Missouri River. But I wanted to know about steamboats.. History Documentary hosted by Joi Shilling, Other locations for Paul's shipwreck on Malta have been suggested based on geographical analysis and the discovery of Roman anchors. Discovered by an unlikely team of amateur historians 45 feet beneath a Kansas cornfield . An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Hawley says the lease for the steamboat museum is up in seven years and he needs more room. A white outline marks the spot where a buried treasure may soon surface. A nearly complete chalk outline marks the position of the Malta steamboat on Saturday. Second Sunken Steamboat Raises Questions For Kansas City's Arabia Museum, Steamboat Arabia Museum Charts Course Away From City Market, Toward Jefferson City, A guide to exploring Kansas City's French influences and history. It's like the end of a movie where you have all the credits, Hawley said. The Church of St. Paul's Shipwreck is one of the oldest Roman Catholic parish churches in Malta and is dedicated to St. Paul's brief time on the island. MALTA BEND, MISSOURI IS HOME TO A SINGLE FOUR WAY STOP AND, A LOT OF CORN. The boat, built inPittsburgh in 1839, had left St. Louis for Council Bluffs, Iowa. Excitedly but deliberately, we took inventory. When I host Up To Date each morning at 9 a.m., my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City areas challenges, hopes and opportunities. Several years ago, he turned his eyes on the Malta, which sank in 1841 after hitting a tree in the river -- a common fate for boats back then. The town has a single four-way stop, a single restaurant and field after field of corn. Check In Add to history Add to collection Add to watchlist Apple Inc. Each time it came up, workers moved the portable rig another foot, later refilling the holes left behind and marking them with white paint. 83816, Biblical Archaeology: Paul's 'Miracle at Malta', Astonishing Rediscovery: The Magdalen Papyrus. The network. "If we can find and secure a location, we'll dig it next year, he said. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. That same year, he found his first boat, the Missouri Packet, whose engine is now at the museum. 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Jim Backes owns 1,500 acres along the bend in the river where the water used to flow. His most significant is the Arabia, the centerpiece of the Arabia Steamboat Museum in Kansas Citys River Market. History Documentary hosted by Joi Shilling, published by Curiosity TV in 2019 - English narration [] Cover[] InformationCornfield Shipwreck Discovered by an unlikely team of amateur historians 45 feet beneath a Kansas cornfield, the Steamboat Arabia is one of the best-preserved shipwrecks in American history. (writer) Cast Produced by Film Editing by Joi Shilling Jeff Van Bockern See also Everybody was really very pleased.That was 2016.Three years later, the Malta is still underground. The discovery was truly a modern day treasure-hunting story at its best. The steamboat Malta sank in late August 1841 while loaded with Indian trading supplies for the American Fur Company. While the Arabia lies once again dormant in the cornfield, plans are already underway for the next excavation this winter: the steamboat Malta. "People say, Oh, I know where it's at, Backes said smiling. This article was originally published in the In the text about Malta, Silvestri relates - in his own way - the account naturally known by many, of the storm and the shipwreck, and the viper's incident. The treasures contained within painting a vivid picture of western expansion and the treacherous frontier. This unique international membership offers education, insight and community for the serious believer. Local legends grew of a sunken steamboat under the cornfield of retired magistrate Norman Sortor. But for more than a century, no farmer knew exactly where a different type of gold was buried. As I correlated all these facts, I realized that the four stern anchors of Paul's prisoner-laden cargo ship may well represent the best possibility in the world today of recovering an actual, physical object specifically mentioned in the pages of the Bible. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Discovered by an unlikely team of amateur historians 45 feet beneath a Kansas cornfield, the Steamboat Arabia is one of the best-preserved shipwrecks in American history. Through an amazing series of "coincidences" on Malta, we located, interviewed, and went diving on-site with a local spear fisherman who several years ago stumbled across four lead anchor stocks in the precise location, and at the precise depth, our research had already predicted. The committed steamboat hunter grabbed his metal detector and GPS and started walking. In February, a core sample unearthed black and red wool and window glass, Hawley said, but more samples need to be taken to better determine what the Malta holds. Your favorite studies, available wherever you want. The treasures contained within painting a vivid picture of western expansion and the treacherous frontier. Visitincludes a series of short videos that show the story of this historic excavationanda short movie. Working night and day, and funding their project themselveseach member of the team put in $10,000, supplemented by loans from local banksthey dug through the frost of Kansas winter nights. Sign up here to receive our free digital version of Personal Update. It all came out with what we were hoping for.. >> OVER TIME, THE MISSOURI RIVER MOVED AND BURIED IT. We don't have any reviews for Cornfield Shipwreck. "That's as good of history as it gets, Hawley said. ." The first mystery is, of course, how a boat that sank mid-river ends up buried in a field. Steamboats dominated travel in the U.S. during the 19th century. Directors Shane Seley Genres The oldest dugout ever found there is almost 7,000 years old. You can help by adding some! Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. The town has a single four-way stop, a single restaurant and field after field of corn. It wasnt tough to know where to start. We had no idea it was right there, Backes said. "I remember coming down here and wondering would it be in this field or that field or maybe in the river, Hawley said, pointing across Backes property. Inside, they found 150 gold buttons, fabric, well-preserved ceramics and a large iron hook. Only until the Malta reveals its cargo will Hawley know whether the boat was headed upriver laden with fabrics, food and household goods or hauling furs for the American Fur Co. in St. Louis. >> I REMEMBER COMING DOWN HERE AND WONDERING WOULD IT BE IN THIS FIELD OR THAT FIELD OR MAYBE IN THE RIVER. Jim Backes owns 1,500 acres along the bend in the river where the water used to flow. Everything today supported his hypothesis, he said. And Hawley has found some. The Malta is resting under a cornfield near the town named for it, Malta Bend, and the Radnor remains under the Missouri's waters near Boonville. What had our expedition yielded? The artifacts are preserved and displayed at the Arabia Steamboat Museum, located in the historic City Market. Learning was done as we went along, says Hawley. In Malta Bend, Missouri, there's one that sank loaded down with expensive and rare trading goods,. The treasures contained within painting a vivid picture of . How a Champagne-Laden Steamship Ended Up in a Kansas Cornfield. It was like Christmas every day, Hawley says. David Hawley is equal parts a steamboat historian and a treasure hunter. >> THE SEARCH NOW IS TO FIND A PLACE TO PUT THE BOAT AND THE TREASURE INSIDE. Watch their journey below. "It's the boat and it's full of stuff, Hawley said excitedly. MALTA BEND, Mo. A professional archaeologist may be needed to evaluate the project, and Fulmer has offered his services. The town has a single restaurant and field after field of corn Missouri, there & # x27 ; ship! Goods, shows online than 25 years position of the Arabia, the Malta steamboat outline... And a treasure hunter offers education, insight and community for the American Fur Company a sunken under..... JIM Backes owns 1,500 acres along the Bend in the River where the water used flow... 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