Day-by-Day / February 27, 1805

February 27, 1805

Preparing to make new canoes

At Fort Mandan north of present Bismarck, North Dakota, several enlisted men prepare to build new dugout canoes. The two pirogues are moved to the shade of fort’s north wall to prevent them from drying out and cracking, and Clark works on his map of the Missouri.

Moving Boats

a beautiful pleasant Morning. we fixed Skids under the Barge So as to have hir lay Safe without takeing any Injury. moved the 2 perogues [pirogues] along the N. Side of the line of huts So as to keep the Sun from cracking them.—
John Ordway

Preparing for New Canoes

16 men Got their tools in order to make 4 perogues 4 men destined to make each perogue. the commanding officers mean to leave the Barge here in the Spring . . . .
—John Ordway

Making a Map

I commence a Map of the Countrey on the Missouries & its waters &c. &c—
William Clark

 

Weather Diary

State of the Ther. at sun symbol rise Weather Wind at sun symbol rise Thermt. at 4 oCk. P.M. Weather Wind at 4 oCk. P.M. River
26 [above 0] fair S E 36 [above 0] fair E fall ½ in.

got the Boat and Perogues on the bank.
Meriwether Lewis[1]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “State of the River at sun symbol rise” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.

 

Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail

The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Plan a trip related to February 27, 1805:

Logo: Lewis and Clark.travel
 

Notes

Notes
1 To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “State of the River at sun symbol rise” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations.

Discover More

  • The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.