Montana Moments Wreck Of The Bertrand On april 1, the boat hit a snag twenty miles north of omaha and sank. all passengers and crew escaped, but the inventory—fortunately insured—was lost. in 1968, the wreck was rediscovered and the goods, preserved for a century in the river’s silt, were recovered. the cargo is a microcosm of frontier life. The bertrand was a steamboat which sank on april 1, 1865, while carrying cargo up the missouri river to virginia city, montana territory, after hitting a snag in the river north of omaha, nebraska. half of its cargo was recovered during an excavation in 1968, more than 100 years later. today, the artifacts are displayed in a museum at the.
Exploring The Steamboat Bertrand And Its Artifacts 150 Years Later Background. desoto national wildlife refuge, located near missouri valley, iowa, is home to a premier archeological collection of over 250,000 artifacts excavated from the buried wreck of the steamboat bertrand. on april 1, 1865, the sternwheeler hit a submerged log, twenty five miles north of omaha, nebraska. Bound for fort benton, the bertrand was heavily loaded with cargo and passengers destined for the gold mining camps of virginia city, diamond city, and helena, in the newly created montana. The cargo found on the excavated bertrand provides a unique glimpse into the material life of virginia city, montana territory. the steamboat was full of clothing, tools, food and various consumer items on their way upriver. the ship’s cargo amounted to roughly 283 cubic meters. the collection includes: dried and salted beef, mutton and pork. The wreck of the steamboat bertrand, located with supplies for the montana gold fields, was excavated at desoto national wildlife refuge in 1968 69. this unique collection of artifacts is now on exhibit in the refuge’s visitor center near missouri valley, iowa. – photo sergeant floyd river museum in sioux city.
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