1837 Steamboat Relic

[Ripcon]

I found more wreckage from the steamboat wreck site in north Mississippi and found this "door" looking iron relic. It measures 9 inches by 11 inches and was hinged at the top. It has the year 1837 stamped into the inside.
Can anybody help me identify this artifact. What is it and what did it go to on the ship. Thanks for any assistance.

 

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[Ripcon]

On the date "1857" was it common to use a number 8 instead of the letter B? It kinda looks like a B

 

[callicles]

Looks like 37 to me...

 

[4x4x4]

....Though a little out of focus to successfully enlarge here...I imagine stamps and writing at the opposite end of the hinge area...
Looks like it would be used on a horizontal plane as the hinge area has a "stop" , a bulbous shape to keep it open vertically.
Interesting site you have there !

Mark.

 

[trdking]

I went through this when i was in KC Was VERY cool Diggers paradise A Historic Kansas City Attraction &laquo The Arabia Steamboat Museum - A Historic Kansas City Attraction Arabia Steamboat Museum ? Kansas City

 

[Anduril]

Looks like "1B37" to me too.
Why jump to the conclusion that it is a date?
I think a part # is more likely. (?)

 

[Icewing]

Any train tracks near by?
It 'looks' a lot like a friction bearing cover from a train.

 

[Ripcon]

Another picture - this one is of the front side writing

The year 1837 is on the back.
This is a picture I took after cleaning the front of the boiler door.
It has writing on it but is hard to decipher after 150+ years underwater.
Kind of looks like: GOULE (?)
Not sure what it says underneath.
Can anyone out there shed light on this. It's driving me crazy.
It may be the name of a foundry (?)
Thanks!

 

[NOLA_Ken]

The year 1837 is on the back.
This is a picture I took after cleaning the front of the boiler door.
It has writing on it but is hard to decipher after 150+ years underwater.
Kind of looks like: GOULE (?)
Not sure what it says underneath.
Can anyone out there shed light on this. It's driving me crazy.
It may be the name of a foundry (?)
Thanks! View attachment 1500256

Ezra Gould; Gould Machine Co. - History | VintageMachinery.org

 

[NOLA_Ken]

trdking posted a link to the Arabia Museum, they have the complete engines and boilers from that boat there, I would send them a pic of the first piece and see if they recognize it

 

[Ripcon]

Thanks...I'll contact the Arabia Museum.
I believe you're right about Ezra Gould. That looks like a match!