Treasure Hunters Challenge: Week 5 »
The fifth challenge provides a new clue from Laird on our phone: The Fulton Paddleboat was a key form of transportation up until the civil war. banks used them to transport gold to hiding places safe from military coffers. as Union forces advanced, soldiers became treasure hunters as they searched for these hidden deposits. you are to take this paddleboat upriver to where one of these American treasures was discovered. The paddleboat also plays a prominent role in some of the writings of Mark Twain, which will come into play later.
This challenge starts on the deck of one of these paddleboats, and as has been the custom, the clue on how to start the challenge is becoming less apparent. Also thankful is the disappearance of the sponsors. That's not to say that they aren't there, they just aren't so prevalent. It makes the challenge more enjoyable. The coupling of a more difficult challenge with less sponsorship is a good change.
On the deck there are two apparent ways to go - up or down - but there is also no obvious indicator of which makes more sense, so at this point, it's up to you which way to go. Unlike some of the earlier challenges, this one can be done in any order to some degree.
You do have to do certain steps in a certain order, but if you want to go down and then go up, you can, it just might not make as much sense. Just make sure that you don't end up at the end of the challenge without the pieces you're supposed to get at the beginning. Otherwise you might have to start all over!
- On the deck, click the lantern on the wall and click again to store in your backpack. You'll need it later.
- Click the stairs going up.
- Click the piece of paper to the left of the steering wheel and click again to store it in your backpack.
- Click the chest to approach it.
- Click the chest to open it.
- Click the wheel and click again to store it in your backpack.
- Click Go Back.
- Click Return to Deck.
- Click the stairs going down.
- You'll find yourself in the engine room. Click the pipes to turn the into position. Your objective is to make a complete system where none of the steam can escape. If it does, the steam won't be able to power the wheel. Click each section of pipe so that it turns into position. Here's at least one possible solution. There may be others.
- After your system is complete, click your backpack.
- Click the wheel to select it, then again to use snap it into place and again to turn it.
- Once you've started the engine, click your backpack, then click the piece of paper, and click again to put it into place over the steam vent to view a page from Tom Sawyer. This is a big hint.
- Click Continue, then Return to Deck.
- Click the stairs going up.
- Click the wheel.
- Enter your destination. But where should you go?
- You should go to St. Petersburg, Missouri (the setting for Tom Sawyer).
- There is one problem with this, and that is that St. Petersburg, Missouri doesn't exist on any map (including the one in the game). That isn't really a problem - you can enter St. Petersburg, Missouri and it will work. But the boat will actually go to Hannibal, Missouri (which also happens to be the birthplace of Mark Twain, the author of Tom Sawyer, and the basis for St. Petersburg). There are reports that this doesn't always work, but I've tried several iterations, with the hidden page and without and never had a problem with it, so I can't say why this is.
- Click Return to Deck.
- Click the gangplank to get off the boat.
- Click Continue.
- Click the sword above the wall and click again to store it in your backpack.
- Click the opening to enter the cave.
- Use the sword to dig in the dirt to find the clue.
- Look for a disturbed section of ground.
- It's in the far right, just a bit over the Exit Cave button.
- Click on it when you find it.
- You're done!
That's it for this week. Check back for next week's challenge summary.
Looking for other challenges? Check out the Treasure Hunters Challenge entry. If you want to discuss the overall game theory, discuss it there please, and leave this for challenge-specific information.
Comments (95)
I can't get the sword to do anything, when I click, it just goes back in to the backpack. Help!
Posted by Sandy | July 18, 2006 8:57 AM
That's all you need to do. Just click on the opening and go into the cave.
Posted by Chad Everett | July 18, 2006 9:12 AM
How did you figure out to go to Hannibal, Missouri...we tried forever last night!
Posted by Snow | July 18, 2006 9:44 AM
It's a bit of a leap of faith (that is, there is no explicit clue that I could find).
That, or you skip the official search-engine sponsor (that is, ask.com) and try google instead.
One time when I entered "Fulton Paddleboat", I was actually prompted for an alternate query on "Fulton Paddle Boat" (with a space) instead.
When you enter that query back at ask.com, one of the answers (#8, I think it was) has Mark Twain in it (using it at google does not, at least not on the first page).
Something in that prompted me to add Mark Twain to my search queries, and that gave me Hannibal, Missouri, as his birthplace, which is where we ended up going.
Easy, huh? If anyone found a simpler way, I'm all ears, because I'd love to have found it. But after three or four times through, I haven't seen it.
You could also use the piece of paper over the steam vent to find the hidden page from Tom Sawyer to lead you to Mark Twain, and get there that way. Thanks Phil, for the tip. I've added this to the walkthrough.
Posted by Chad Everett | July 18, 2006 10:07 AM
I am going into the cave and when I click on the sword nothing happens. I tried to find the disturbed section and could not find it. Please help!
Posted by Lori Strait | July 18, 2006 11:19 AM
Okay so I did not read that I needed the lantern, of course I am still trying to find the right spot, but I will manage that. Thanks!
Posted by Lori Strait | July 18, 2006 11:37 AM
Thanks for the advice. Actually typing in one of the phrases from the piece of paper does yield "Tom Sawyer" as a search result.
Posted by Michael Mironer | July 18, 2006 11:52 AM
The sword doesn't do anything. If you click on it, it goes back in the backpack. If you move the mouse over the contents of the cave, there is no indication that you can dig anywhere.
Posted by Carol | July 18, 2006 12:22 PM
In the engine room, I think I clicked all the pipes into place, but when I go to turn the wheel nothing happens. I get a lot of noises and then some steam comes out of the very first pipe. I can't use the paper. What am I doing wrong?
Posted by Jack | July 18, 2006 1:26 PM
You have to have the lantern in the cave. Once you do, just click on the ground to dig.
The pipes have to be all connected. Look at the picture for an example (click it to view a larger image). Once they are all connected, steam comes out the far end, and you can then put the paper over it to see the secret message, which is a page from Tom Sawyer.
Posted by Chad Everett | July 18, 2006 1:29 PM
Thank you for this web-site - would not be able to "solve" any of the puzzles, without your assistance!!!!
Posted by T GARCIA | July 18, 2006 2:42 PM
I see everyone asking the same question, "What do you do with the sword?" there is no disturbed ground, it does nothing. how come no one ever answers this question??
Posted by Sean Hipple | July 18, 2006 2:47 PM
I have already answered this question, that's why I haven't answered it again. You pick up the sword and walk in the opening. Then you use the sword to dig. Without the sword, you can't dig.
"Disturbed ground" may not be an accurate description, but I told you exactly where it is, and it looks different than the rest of the ground, so just try it. If you can't find it, I'm sorry, but it's the best I can do. It is a puzzle, after all.
Posted by Chad Everett | July 18, 2006 3:10 PM
Sorry, saw that you answered it...Just was clicking all over the place above the button for half an hour, and nothing, clikced, clicked and dragged, with the sword out, without it, maybe it has something to do with the way the movie is built not working on a Macintosh...Thanks anyway.
Posted by Sean Hipple | July 18, 2006 3:43 PM
The sword doesn't work unless you go back to the boat and click on the latern, it will go into your backpack and then go back into the cave and then the sword will be lit up by a circle of light and you can find the disturbed section of ground.
Posted by Mary | July 18, 2006 4:41 PM
If you have the lantern when you enter the cave, you will see your sword in the light. All you have to do is click on the sword and it will dig into the ground. The spot you're looking for is on the right, somewhat above the exit cave button.
I enjoy reading this blog, but I think that people actually need to try to figure these puzzles out on their own. I just look through here to see if i missed anything, or get an occasional hint, not to follow the step by step direction given.
Posted by J. Roesler | July 18, 2006 5:04 PM
Thanks for the help with Tom Sawyer. That was getting me. Has anyone figured out where to get the other insurance policy? I know where I need to go but haven't been able to get there. It was on the map in Challenge 4 but when I went there it didn't do anything.
Posted by James | July 18, 2006 5:46 PM
On the far right of the screen about half an inch obove the word "cave" on the "exit cave" button is the disturbed dirt, stab the sword there.
Posted by John Doe | July 19, 2006 4:58 AM
Thank you for your help. I did not see the map at first, and would not have known to use the lamp to help me in the cave. The sword was used to poke and find the symbol.
Posted by Robin | July 19, 2006 2:04 PM
Why are you posting all of the answers? The whole idea of the contest is to eliminate the Hanlons (brainless twits) of the world. Why go through all the effort to solve it and then just give it away. Please stop and let people figure it out for themselves.
Posted by Me | July 19, 2006 3:46 PM
Me, you just need to relax a little. It's not as if the puzzles are particularly difficult.
That said, if someone who happens by gets their answer and does win, perhaps they'll share the prize with me. I'm okay with that!
Posted by Chad Everett | July 19, 2006 4:27 PM
You will all fail the "live treasure hunt" for not training your brains when you had the chance. BTW, at this point in the game, Washington DC should tell you guys something. Try to figure that out.
Posted by daniel | July 20, 2006 3:01 AM
There's a bug in the engine room puzzle. I clicked all the pipes in place and added the wheel but when I turned the wheel it didn't work. I went out to the deck and re-entered the engine room, then when I clicked the wheel it started the engine.
Posted by Anonymous | July 20, 2006 6:22 PM
You have to have the lantern to see inside the cave.
Posted by Tracy | July 20, 2006 7:24 PM
You need to get the lantern from the paddleboat on the screen that shows the stairs. It is to the right of the stairs and left of the window. Use the lamp in the cave and the sword will apppear. Above the exit cave sign is the dirt that is a different color. Click and done
Posted by Jared | July 20, 2006 9:27 PM
Thanks so much I was about to give up I did for two days.
Posted by C PENNINGTON | July 20, 2006 10:34 PM
Thank you for helping me with the directions on the Paddle Boat. I couldn't figure it out. It was making me so mad.... again, THANK YOU!!!
>>>> p.s. and if I do win some money, you will get some!! : )
Posted by JR | July 20, 2006 10:46 PM
Daniel, I'm sure lots of people have figured out that the blocks they're collecting form a map of the National Mall. You shouldn't be so condescending - it'll bite you in the butt later. ;)
Posted by Natalie | July 20, 2006 10:54 PM
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I figured out after 3 or 4 hours to go a cavern with the lantern clue...but it took me 3 days and your link to finally finish clue 5! I got all of the other ones easily (well except for it took forever to get those keys!)
But you were a godsend...Thanks so much...
Posted by Julie | July 20, 2006 11:07 PM
Just wanted to say thanks. I was getting to the end of my patience, when I ran across your site. I still don't know how you figured the destination, but I appreciate the help.
Posted by Vicky | July 20, 2006 11:25 PM
Hmmm? When I click on the sword it dissapears and the game seems to stall. I can't go anywhere. I've tried three times and it keeps on happening? What gives?
Posted by camera man | July 21, 2006 12:15 AM
Thank you so much for this help! It seemed to me originally that they wanted the "destination" was supposed to be at the final resting place of a sunken civil war treasure ship. Wasted hours working on that. Nor did I find the piece of paper before your walk through. Thanks, you saved me. :)
Posted by Erik | July 21, 2006 1:10 PM
Thanks for the hint. I could not figure out where to tell the boat to go. The hints are not helpful.
Posted by MKing | July 21, 2006 2:26 PM
Thanks you're smart that helped a lot.
Posted by Christopher | July 21, 2006 5:05 PM
I went to St. Petersburg, Missouri, not Hannibal and that was correct too. St. Petersburg, Missouri is the fictional town in Tom Sawyer that is based on Hannibal, Missouri. So that answer works as well, if that helps anyone out.
Posted by Jessica | July 21, 2006 5:17 PM
I stumbled onto this site while searching Ask.com for something to solve a puzzle. Maybe you should stop giving people a step-by-step version of how to do things. If you aren't smart enough to figure out these relatively easy puzzles out by yourself, then you shouldn't be able to participate in the prize anyhow.
Posted by Jessica | July 21, 2006 5:21 PM
I can't get the sword to do anything. When I click it, it just goes back into my back pack what do I do?
Posted by ames | July 21, 2006 5:34 PM
Thank you so much for the clues for week 5. We almost quit out of frustration but now we have renewed strengh. Thank you for the help!!!
Posted by Gena and Bruce | July 21, 2006 5:41 PM
When I type in hannibal missouri it says that I can not go to that destination.
Posted by Joe | July 21, 2006 5:58 PM
Anybody having trouble with the game just freezing up on you? This has happened several times to me, after I get to a certain point and click on something, I can't do anything else, not even go back to the previous screen. What's up?
Posted by Mike | July 21, 2006 6:24 PM
How does the piece of paper lead you to Mark Twain?
Posted by Anonymous | July 21, 2006 7:44 PM
As described, the piece of paper contains a hidden page of Tom Sawyer. The author of Tom Sawyer is, of course, Mark Twain.
Posted by Chad Everett | July 21, 2006 8:00 PM
I put St. Petersburg, Missouri, where Tom Sawyer takes place, and it worked too. Thanks for your assistance with the sword and steaming the page.
Posted by jessica | July 21, 2006 9:07 PM
When I get to the cave and click on the sword, it goes to the backpack, then I can't go into the cave, it's like everytime I get to the sword, my system freezes just after the sword.....any ideas?
Posted by Diane | July 21, 2006 9:37 PM
I put hannibal, missouri and it said I can't go there what do I do?
Posted by gbaby | July 21, 2006 11:15 PM
Great site! Found it after solving and there are different ways to get there. Why are people worried about sharing? If people that need help win, they will be first persons out in the real hunt. Perfect!! Share on!! Besides, There is access online during hunt also. This is not The Amazing Race.
Posted by Patti | July 22, 2006 1:18 AM
I go upstairs on the paddleboat but all I get is a blank screen. Is there a glitch in the system that you know of?
Posted by Rich | July 22, 2006 6:47 AM
Thanks Chad. You saved my butt. I searched everything under the sun about paddle boats/steamboats and hidden treasure. And thought I had clicked every inch of the boat, but alas a single sheet of paper had eluded me.
Posted by Lisa F. | July 22, 2006 5:23 PM
Thanks a lot for the help, it came in handy when I needed a destination! Do you know where the treasure is? If so congrats, and fill me in!!! Thanks again!
Posted by Dani Kelley | July 22, 2006 6:18 PM
Thanks for the assist.
Posted by Lyn | July 22, 2006 10:29 PM
I had totally missed the paper the first time I played Monday night, even though I must have clicked on every square inch of that %$^&* boat, and I spent two hours trying to guess the place to go, did the Fulton Paddle Boat search, tried every name & place I saw in every link I could find, even found that Mark Twain reference, but it showed Mark Twain's birth place as Florida, Missouri which does not work.
I gave up Monday and found you, thankfully, tonight when I had the courage to try a few more places.
Thanks for being here!
P.S. Typing in St. Petersburg, Missouri did not work for me, but if you type in the first red colored phrase of the paper at Ask.com and use quotation marks, it will give you only one link...Encyclopedia: Mark Twain, with this comment "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (published 1876) is a very well-known and popular story concerning American youth. Mark Twain's lively tale is set in St. Petersburg, Missouri, a fictionalized town based on Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Missouri..."
Posted by Lorna | July 22, 2006 10:33 PM
Thank you for the site! You're the best! WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU!!!!
Posted by JJ | July 23, 2006 5:34 PM
Thank you so much for offering advice! I was stumped on the destination. The rest I was able to figure out. Thank you again.
Posted by Crissie | July 23, 2006 9:59 PM
The way I found Hannibal, Missouri, was by entering the darkest phrase from the page -- "first time, the deep stillness of the place" at ask.com, and then it will pop up the result "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (published 1876) is a very well-known and popular story concerning American youth. Mark Twain's lively tale is set in St. Petersburg, Missouri, a fictionalized town based on Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Missouri" -- there you go!
Posted by Zek | July 24, 2006 2:56 AM
I have done all the other ones myself but that was a really hard one since I must have missed the Mark Twain clue somewhere along the way.
Posted by Ladywild | July 24, 2006 2:59 AM
Thank you. I was able to start the paddleboat but had no clue where it was to go. I had used my help to find all the pieces to get the chain across the water. You have been bookmarked.
Posted by Karen | July 24, 2006 7:06 AM
Wow, thank you. I have been at this puzzle for 7 days, hours at a time, I kept getting 3 lanterns and of course tried everything in that category. :(
I did see Mark Twain mentioned once and didn't even think of his Tom Sawyer book, thank you sincerely.
Posted by cj | July 24, 2006 10:54 AM
Thank you so much!!! I never found that piece of paper, what is with the lanterns? I could get like four lanterns off the ship and still have one in my back pack but never used it.
Posted by Paula | July 24, 2006 12:00 PM
Holy Cow! I have not had any problems with the clues until July 17ths...grrrrr I can't say thank you enough..lol I tried to type some of the "phrases" from the paper into "Ask" but it never gave me anything about Mark Twain... Well, thanks for the help!
Posted by Misty Miller | July 24, 2006 4:28 PM
So glad you posted the destination. It was taking me forever!
Posted by Kristi | July 24, 2006 6:32 PM
Thank you. I must have tried 50 locations.
Posted by Linda | July 24, 2006 7:00 PM
Great page! I ended up using my insurance last week because I couldn't get the stupid keys. Ah well. Appreciate you being here, its a fun show and its always nice to have a lifeline if you need it!
Posted by Andrea | July 24, 2006 8:06 PM
Where do you get the lantern?
Posted by Dawn | July 24, 2006 8:12 PM
Found your site tonight and it was a great help. Keep doing what you're doing because some of us "dummies" can use the help!!
Posted by Jim | July 24, 2006 8:45 PM
That puzzle drove me nuts. I didn't know what to do with that paper. If I did I wouldn't have spent the week bashing my head against every corner of the internet. Next time I'm going to experiment more on the game and less on Ask.com.
Posted by Triska | July 24, 2006 9:29 PM
Thank You!!
Posted by Eileen | July 24, 2006 9:59 PM
The piece of paper beside the wheel was NEVER on my screen...wonder what's up with that?? Anyone else NOT have that part? Wonder if that will happen in with another puzzle?
Posted by pk | July 24, 2006 10:25 PM
If you're having trouble with getting to Hannibal, Missouri - Try it without the comma.
Posted by Doreen | July 25, 2006 7:11 AM
I found Hannibal by using ask.com and entering "American Treasure" and fulton paddle boat. Mark Twain came up!
Posted by Renee | July 25, 2006 9:34 AM
This is awesome! I was so stuck on challenge #5! I found your blog when I searched "Fulton Paddleboat". Hopefully I'll have better luck with #6, but I may be back!
Posted by Suzanne | July 25, 2006 7:42 PM
Good tip!
Posted by Anonymous | July 26, 2006 2:09 PM
I can't seem to move the pipes, what am I doing wrong?
Posted by Carol | July 26, 2006 3:19 PM
I looked all over for that letter by the wheel, I knew there was something I was missing. Once I got it...wham!
Posted by bill | July 26, 2006 5:50 PM
Thank you so much!
Posted by Anonymous | July 26, 2006 7:53 PM
Thanks! Big time! My pop-up blocker decided to work and I couldn't get an answer on ask.com went to yahoo and found you. Instructions worked PERFECTLY!!!
Posted by mary keck | July 26, 2006 8:27 PM
When you reach St. Petersburg, make sure that you take the lantern from the main deck of the paddle boat before going to the cave.
Posted by D. Cole | July 31, 2006 12:23 PM
Help! I've tried to enter both St.Petersburg,Missouri and Hannibal,Missouri, but the boat says it can't take me there. Is there another name that I could try?
Posted by Robin | July 31, 2006 8:24 PM
Thanks to Doreen, when I put in Hannibal Missouri without the comma, that did the trick!
Posted by Robin | July 31, 2006 8:31 PM
In case anyone is having a hard time finding the right place to dig... Make sure that you pick up the lantern off of the wall on the boat, before you leave the boat (or you can go back and get it once you get off of the boat). Then use the lantern while you are in the cave to help you find the correct place to dig.
Posted by Christin | July 31, 2006 9:36 PM
If you type in St. Petersburg MO it will take you there.
Posted by Mary | July 31, 2006 11:41 PM
This is a great site, really helped me with the paddle boat. My piece of paper is blank with a hole in it.
Posted by Sharrie | August 1, 2006 1:33 AM
THANK YOU
Posted by Becky and Joshua | August 1, 2006 1:45 AM
If you have the lantern and the sword, you can dig or poke the ground on the right side of the open door (cavern). It's really quite easy at this point. Figuring out where to go was hard for me.
Posted by David Dawson | August 1, 2006 10:54 PM
I go to click and I can't dig with the sword and it wont let me take the next clue.
Posted by kevin | August 3, 2006 9:48 PM
I had the latern but it's no longer in my bag how do i get it back, or where was it first at?
Posted by Kendra | August 4, 2006 6:45 PM
Thanks it worked superbly.
Posted by Eve | August 7, 2006 3:50 PM
Where do you find the lantern? I cant seem to find it anywhere
Posted by miewheeles | August 8, 2006 9:20 AM
You are awesome, thanks! Of all things, I did not even notice the piece of paper. Once I found it (thx to you), the rest was a breeze. Well, not a breeze, but I'm an English teacher, so I was able to take it from there.
Posted by LJ | August 8, 2006 6:56 PM
Well I am on the boat and I can't find a way off of the boat to get to the cave - how do I get off the boat?
Posted by Sam | August 9, 2006 6:15 PM
I have no idea how you got Hannibal, Missouri.
Posted by kim | August 16, 2006 1:57 PM
I am stuck in week 6. Typed in San Francisco and the boat won't go. What am I doing wrong?
Posted by B.K. | January 23, 2007 9:03 PM
It sounds like you are confused. The boat doesn't go to San Francisco. Try reading the details again. Also, Week 6 doesn't have a boat (though you do need so specify a destination, and that destination is San Francisco, it's for the wagon). Perhaps you should re-read that one, too.
Posted by Chad Everett | January 24, 2007 12:06 PM
Remember to get the lantern on the boat before going into the cave.
Posted by Anonymous | January 27, 2007 4:49 PM
How do I dig with the sword...it doesn't do anything when i click on the ground! Help!
Posted by alexis | February 11, 2007 8:02 PM
Did you remember to get the lantern before you left the deck of the paddleboat?
Posted by Chad Everett | February 12, 2007 6:40 AM