Beginning in the early nineteenth century, an increasing amount
of steamboat traffic passed along Nebraska's segment of the
Missouri River. This traffic reached its zenith in 1859 during
the Colorado Gold Rush and declined in the 1860's due to Civil
War disorders and to competition by the railroads. The "Bertrand,"
owned by the Montana and Idaho Steamship Lines, was one of the
largest steamboats to ply the Missouri River north of the Platte
River. The apparent discovery of this sunken boat and its contents
is a major historical find. This steamboat is Nebraska's only
substantial link of a tangible nature with the early steamboating
era. This discovery may be unique; no other early steamboats are
known to have to have been discovered and excavated along the
Missouri River outside of Nebraska. According to terms of the
Corbino and Pursell contract with the federal government, the U.S.
Department of the Interior will retain possession of the "Bertrand"
and most of its contents. If restored or preserved near its present
site, the "Bertrand" should become a significant additional tourist
attraction to the wildlife and recreational area in which it is
located.
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