All day, the men struggle to move the boats against the strong Missouri current. Submerged logs and crumbling banks add to the danger. They make 12¼ miles camping near old Little Osage and Missouria villages at present Malta Bend.
The Boat Hits a Sawyer
by Yellowstone Public Radio[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
Malta Bend Today
View northwest, upstream
© 2024 by Michael Pazeian. Used by permission.
The many river hazards presented below and at Malta Bend in 1804 have been mitigated to accommodate modern commercial traffic.
Submerged Log
Set out early and had not proceeded far e’er we wheeled on a Sawyer which was near injuring us Verry much
—William Clark
Rolling Sands
[W]e were nearly being Swallowed up by the roleing Sands over which the Current was So Strong that we Could not Stem it with our Sales under a Stiff breese in addition to our ores, we were Compelled to pass under a bank which was falling in, and use the Toe rope occasionally
—William Clark
Noon Observations
we stopped at 12 O.C. to eat dinner & for Capt. Lewis to take the Meridan altitude &C
—John Ordway
Old Malta Bend Villages
Camped on the S. S. Nearly opposit the Antient Village of the Little Osarges and below the Antt. Village of the Missoures both Situations in view an within three Ms. of each other . . . . The little osage finding themselves much oppressed by the Saukees [Sauks] & other nations, left this place & built a village 5 ms. from the Grand Osarge Town about [blank] years ago. a few of the Missoures [Missourias] accompanied them . . . .
—William Clark
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. |
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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.
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.
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- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
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- Yellowstone Public Radio
Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).