The Forgotten Ship Was Found Buried in a Corn Field
Two Omaha men, Jesse Pursell and Sam Corbino, began a search in 1967 that led to the discovery of the Steamboat Bertrand. The Missouri River had changed course over time, leaving the forgotten wreck in the middle of a Nebraska cornfield. Operating under a Federal contract, the pair successfully completed the excavation of the boat and its cargo in 1969. Much of the material is on display in the visitor center of DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge maintained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Sixteen ladies' capes were recovered from Bertrand, including triangular knitted capes of pinkish violet with tasseled ties at the neck, very typical of the time.
The Bertrand's cargo provides a extraordinary time-capsule from the Civil War era, with Underwood's "Tomatoe Katsup," brandied peaches from Boston, fruit jellies from Baltimore, pickles from Delaware, pepper sauce from St. Louis, and clover honey from Philadelphia.