The Lewis and Clark Expedition Part 2/12

Lewis was well prepared to take on the task Jefferson wanted him to accomplish. He had studied with the nation’s best scientist and knew how I identify different plans, read, and create maps and navigate a boat. He even learned how to perform basic surgery to care for his crew.

Lewis knew there would be many challenges in exploring this unknown territory and another leader was needed to help him guide the expedition. He recruited William Clark a trusted friend and fellow army officer together with 40 brave men including an African- American slave they formed the core of discovery to make a journey that would change the face of America.

Lewis spend months preparing for the trip acquiring compasses and other navigation equipment he gathered the best medicines available and purchase a large stock of goods to be used as gifts and barter for Indians. Also very important was paper to use to write their journals to carry the core and it’s cargo on the first leg of their journey.

Lewis had a killed boat build a 55 foot vessel capable of carrying about 12 tons of cargo the boat had a sale but would mostly be propelled with oars and polls. The journey on the Missouri River would be over 2000 miles. In the spring time the Missouri rushes east. Tend by melting mounting snow it would upstream all the way.

After preparing during the fall and winter at Camp Dubois on your Saint Louis the expedition to party in the spring of 1804, the plans was to take their both upstream following the Missouri river. Look for a westward flowing river and then portage which is to carry their boats across land. If a westward flowing river accessible from the Eastern Flowing Missouri could be found they would accomplish their goal of finding a coast to coast passage.

The core traveled in three vessels led by the kill boat and followed by two smaller boats called pirogues. Along the way Clark and expert navigator over solved the man and carefully map their route. Lewis made scientific observations and often walked along the shore making notes and collecting specimens of animals and plants. Together they made a terrific team.

The journey was hard work. The man lived outdoors hunting for food and rode at the kill boat up the river. Often towing the boat from the shore when the current got too heavy or the river became difficult to navigate. They fended off huge clouds of mosquitoes that swarmed around them progress was slow and the boats often became stock on muddy sand bars. The party made only 12 to 14 miles on a good day.