Institute of Nautical Archaeology

Institute of Nautical Archaeology

FAQ | Shop

  • About
    • Introduction
    • Contact
    • History by Year
    • Supporters
    • INA Foundation
  • People
    • Key Figures
    • Officers & Administration
    • Board of Directors
    • Nautical Archaeology Program Faculty
    • Affiliated Scholars
    • Research Associates & Research Fellows
    • Bodrum Research Center Staff
    • Past Presidents
  • Projects
    • 2020 Projects
    • All Projects
    • Projects Map
    • Project Funding and Project Proposals
    • Diving Safety
  • News & Events
    • News & Events
  • INA Turkey
    • English
      • Bodrum Research Center
      • Personnel
      • INA Fleet
      • Partners
      • Photo Gallery
    • Türkçe
      • Bodrum Araştırma Merkezi
      • Personel
      • INA Filosu
      • Ortaklar
      • Foto Galeri
  • Gallery
    • Gallery
    • Special Collections & Videos
    • Using INA Photos
    • Photo Request Form
  • Publications
    • Publications
    • INA Quarterly
    • INA Quarterly Archive
    • INA Annual
    • Blogs
    • Publication Funding
  • Learning Center
    • Introduction
    • Guide to Nautical Archaeology
    • Resources and Links
  • Support INA
    • Join INA
    • Donate Online
    • Other Ways to Help
    • INA Wish List
    • Shop INA

Red River Steamboat Heroine Excavation

For a complete list of INA projects > SEE MORE

WHAT: WESTERN STEAMBOAT WHERE: OKLAHOMA, USA | EXCAVATION: 2002-2008 DATE OF WRECK: A.D. 1838

Beginning in 2002, INA, the Oklahoma Historical Society, and Texas A&M University engaged in a joint study of the western steamboat Heroine (A.D. 1832-1838) which sank in the Red River between Texas and Oklahoma. Excavation of the wreck’s interior yielded details of the hull’s construction and a collection of tools, cargo, machinery, and personal items, while later work concluded with the disassembly of the drive mechanism (the port paddle wheel, and the fly wheels and main shafts) and its recovery by helicopter.

What turned out to be the Heroine also happened to be the earliest and among the finest examples yet of the celebrated “western river steamboat”. The western steamboat was a marvelous amalgam of maritime technology, a product of native genius that profoundly affected the course of history. Prior to steam’s arrival on the Mississippi River and its tributaries in 1811, the river was essentially a one-way route: the strong currents floated goods out of the interior, but prevented sailing ships from working their way upriver. Steamboats changed all that, speeding up the westward movement of the United States, transporting people and their goods, and transplanting their cultures, into the interior of the North American continent.

Heroine, like her contemporaries, tramped the western rivers, taking on whatever cargo and passengers were available and delivering them to ports between Louisville and New Orleans. At various times during her career, she carried bales of cotton, immigrants, foodstuffs, businessmen, and even supplies and volunteer troops for the Texas Revolution. Although steamboats serve as icons of nineteenth-century North American culture, technology, and western expansion, knowledge of their design, construction, and propulsion machinery is surprisingly scanty. This is particularly true of the vessels produced in the early period of steam navigation, from 1811 to circa 1840. The excavation of Heroine fills in some of these gaps related to construction and western steamboat culture.

Selected Bibliography

Crisman, K., W.B. Lees, and J Davis. 2013. “The Western River Steamboat Heroine, 1832–1838, Oklahoma, USA: excavations, summary of finds, and history.” International Journal of Nautical Archaeology 42: 365-381.

Brown, H., and K. Crisman. 2005. “News from the Red River: a mid-season update on the Steamboat Heroine.” INA Quarterly 32:3-6.

Crisman, K. 2007. “Easy as One-Two-Three: completing the steamboat Heroine excavation, 2005–2006.” INA Quarterly 34: 3-12.

Crisman, K., and G. Grieco. 2014. “The Western River Steamboat Heroine, 1832–1838, Oklahoma, USA: propulsion machinery.” International Journal of Nautical Archaeology 44:173-195.

Crisman, K. J. 2014. “The Western River Steamboat Heroine, 1832–1838, Oklahoma, USA: construction.” International Journal of Nautical Archaeology 43:128-150.

> Read Less



ABOVE: Dr. Kevin Crisman surfacing after a dive (Left Photo: INA).  Recovering the 1600-pound paddle wheel with the help of a helicopter (Right Photo: INA).

Join INA

Join Ina

One of the best ways of supporting the work being done by INA right now is by becoming a member. Join today and access exclusive content!

Learn More

INA Quarterly

INA Quarterly

The INA Quarterly is a news and information magazine focused on the Institute and its many projects, as well as the issues and events relevant to the nautical archaeology community.

Learn More

Copyright © 2019 Institute of Nautical Archaeology | P.O. Drawer HG · College Station, TX 77841-5137 · USA | info@nauticalarch.org

Copyright © 2019 · Genesis Sample on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in