It was 150 years ago that the steamboat Bertrand sank in the Missouri River north of Omaha.
A presentation Sunday at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge focuses on the discovery of the Bertrand’s wreck site, and the artifacts recovered from it. The Bertrand was headed to Montana to deliver supplies to a mining town when it wrecked and sank in April of 1865.
Dean Knudsen, curator of the Steamboat Bertrand museum, says the artifacts recovered from the Bertrand show people’s basic needs have changed very little in 150 years.
“The artifacts all reflect the needs of people, in this case out on the frontier. You need food, clothing, tools, and in some cases a means of amusement, something to spend your time when you’re not working. And so a lot of things on this boat are recognizable, things that we would commonly go to the store and buy today.”
The Bertrand wreck site was found in 1968 near Blair. Excavations during 1968 and 1969 uncovered the artifacts. Food, clothing, instant coffee, hand tools, and a child’s school slate were among the items recovered from the boat.
Sunday’s presentation, called Unexpected Treasure, begins at 11 am. The Steamboat Bertrand museum is located inside the Refuge’s Visitor Center.
On September 13, Knudsen will present a second program about the Bertrand, focusing on the artifacts.