Andy Gibson (steamboat) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Andy Gibson (shipwreck)
|
|
Vicinity of the Andy Gibson shipwreck
|
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Mississippi River, 0.75 miles (1.21 km) downstream from County Highway 1 Bridge, Aitkin Township, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1884 |
| Architect | Fred W. Bonness, et al. |
| MPS | Shipwrecks of Minnesota's Inland Lakes and Rivers MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 12000558 |
| Designated | August 28, 2012 |
The Andy Gibson was a special kind of boat called a steamboat. It traveled on the Mississippi River in Minnesota from 1884 to 1894. This boat is famous because of how it ended up. After it stopped working, it was left in a special dock called a drydock and slowly taken apart. Today, the remains of the Andy Gibson are still resting on its drydock cradle, which is very unusual for a shipwreck! Because of its unique history, the Andy Gibson shipwreck was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. Its special identification number is 21AK109.
Contents
The Steamboat Andy Gibson
The Andy Gibson was built in 1884. It was designed to carry people and goods on the upper parts of the Mississippi River. Steamboats were very important for travel and trade back then. They helped connect towns and move supplies before good roads or trains were common everywhere.
What Was the Andy Gibson Used For?
The Andy Gibson helped people travel and move things along the Mississippi River. It was used for:
- Commerce: Carrying goods to sell and trade.
- Transportation: Moving people from one place to another.
- Entertainment: Sometimes, steamboats were used for fun trips or parties.
The boat was a vital part of life in the area around Aitkin, Minnesota. This town was its home port.
Why Is the Andy Gibson Shipwreck Important?
The Andy Gibson shipwreck is very special for a few reasons:
- Rare Remains: It's one of the few remaining examples of a Mississippi River steamboat from that time.
- Unique Resting Place: Most shipwrecks sink into the water or onto the riverbed. The Andy Gibson is unique because it sank while still on its drydock cradle. A drydock is like a special platform used to build or repair boats out of the water.
- Well-Preserved: The way it sank helped keep its remains in good condition. This allows historians and archaeologists to study it.
Studying the Shipwreck
Because the Andy Gibson is so well-preserved, it helps us learn about:
- Engineering: How steamboats were built and designed in the 1800s.
- Maritime History: The story of boats and shipping on the Mississippi River.
- Archaeology: What life was like for people who lived and worked on the river.
The shipwreck gives us clues about how people lived, worked, and traveled in Minnesota over a hundred years ago.
