Red River Update: July 26

An Entirely New Sort of Boat

Thursday, July 26, 2001. Ongoing examination of the Red River Wreck seems to verify that this unnamed vessel is unlike any excavated before, and is clearly a transitional type between the early, deep-draft steamboats and the fully-developed Western Rivers type that became standard by the early 1850s.

While the boat has decking structure that is very typical of later Western Rivers vessels, she is also fitted with massive framing around the central flywheel and other machinery, and the shape of her stern is unlike that of any riverboat previously documented. The structure generally is heavier than that used in later riverboats, and the hull is much deeper. The steamboat probably drew at least six feet of water, while later boats of similar size might draw only half as much - a critical consideration when navigating a shallow, shifting riverbed like that of the Red River. One crew member, looking over the measurements recorded by divers, asked "what were they thinkin’? She’s way too big for the Red!"

The students are making great progress in documenting the stern part of the wreck. If all goes well, by the end of the day Friday all the exposed part of the stern section should have been fully recorded and drawn. Dr. Annalies Corbin, project field director and leader of one of the two teams of field school students, reported that all the data collected so far has been compiled into measured drawings, and that the students will be filling in gaps in missing data. Once that’s done, the two teams will begin working with dredges around the stern to clear away sand and gravel and expose more of the hull. "These kids have done a great job," Corbin said. "They’re more comfortable in the water and they’re working effectively as a team." One student who was initially very uncomfortable with her gear in the water, Corbin added, has made great progress, logging two full dives on Thursday. "She’s well on her way, and I expect great things from her before this is all over."

The students themselves are developing a sense of accomplishment. Brandon Talley, a junior biology major at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, reported the team’s work in recording the exposed parts of the stern, and added, "I’m pleased with the rapid progress." Daniel Seib, a graduate student in Anthropology from Indiana University, reported that "we got all the data we were looking for and then some."

Dr. Laurel Breece, the other team leader and a member of the Anthropology faculty at Long Beach City College, agreed. "I’m so thrilled to see the students gain confidence in their diving skills and their understanding of the wreck, Breece stated. "This is a challenging project and the students are doing an outstanding job."

The weather continued hot, with building thunderstorms in the distance. Rain and thunderstorms likely on Friday.

This update is sponsored by the PAST Foundation and the Oklahoma Historical Society. It may be freely redistributed without modification for non-commercial purposes.

Dr. Annalies Corbin works with Long Beach City College student Ceci Brothers on her drawings of the wreck.	After returning to camp, the first order of business is to wash the gear.	Loading the boat at the beginning of the day.	The project boat.