Day-by-Day / March 10, 1806

March 10, 1806

A tree 42 feet around

Fort Clatsop, Astoria, OR Hunters tell the captains about a large Sitka spruce that they encountered. Several men are sent out to hunt elk, and Lewis describes common ducks and grebes.

A 42-foot Girth[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading

Hunting

About 1 P. M. it became fair and we sent out two parties of hunters on this side of the netul the one below and the other above. we also directed a party to set out early in the morning and pass the bay and hunt beyond the Kilhowanackkle [Youngs River]. from the last we have considerable hope as we have as yet hunted but little in that quarter.
Meriwether Lewis

Large Sitka Spruce

The hunters who were over the Netull the other day informed us that they measured a pine tree, (or fir No 1) which at the hight of a man’s breast was 42 feet in the girth about three feet higher, or as high as a tall man could reach, it was 40 feet in the girth which was about the circumpherence for at least 200 feet without a limb, and that it was very lofty above the commencement of the limbs. from the appearance of other trees of this speceis of fir and their account of this tree, I think it may be safely estimated at 300 feet.
—Meriwether Lewis

Ducks, Coots, and Grebes

The black and white duck [bufflehead] are small abut the size of the blue-winged teal, or reather larger . . . . The black duck [American coot] is about the size of the bluewinged teal . . . . The divers [pied-billed grebe and red-necked grebe] are the same with those of the Atlantic States.
—Meriwether Lewis

 

Weather Diary

Aspect of the weather at sun symbol Rise Wind at sun symbol rise Aspect of weather at 4 O’Ck P. M. Wind at 4 OCk. P. M.
snow & rain after hail, rain & snow S W fair after rain, hail & snow S W

Snow nearly disappeared by this morning. the air considerably warmer.
—Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “Day of the Month” column and spelled out some abbreviations.

 

Notes

Notes
1 Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio.
2 To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the “Day of the Month” column and spelled out some abbreviations.

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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.