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We named our boat after the Texas Navy Ship, the Zavala. She ultimately ran aground at, and still rests below, what is now a paved over parking lot just about here... Now, watching the pending arrival of Hurricane Rita, and viewing some of the flood models, it makes me wonder if the old girl is going to get wet again.



For you history buffs and Cliver Cussler fans, check out this nice write up on the original Zavala. The story about the Governor towards the end is pretty funny as well.

If you ever get to the Kansas City area, do not miss going to the Arabia Steamboat Museum. You will spend hours there. It is a lesson in history.

http://www.1856.com/

Using old river maps and a metal detector to guide the effort, David Hawley found the wreck lying over a one-half mile from the river's edge and buried 45 feet underground. Once the boat was located, a survey ribbon was tied to a stalk of tall corn in the middle of a Kansas farm field in July 1987, thus marking the steamboat's newly found location. Eighteen months later, men and machines would return to the spot and begin what would become the adventure of a lifetime... raising the Arabia!

Thanks Randy. That's a cool story, and looks like a neat museam. We get down to KC a couple times a year for Cabelas, the Zoo, shopping, etc. So we'll make a point to check it out the next time we're down.

Now, if you're ever up towards Omaha, check out the wreckage of the Bertrandat DeSoto Bend. It went down in 1865, and spent the next 100 years buried in mud -- which preserved the contents exceptionally well.

I really enjoy stories and artifacts from the ships of yesteryear. Anyone else have a favorite wreck to check out on our a free weekend?