Day-by-Day / May 18, 1804

May 18, 1804

Shifting the cargo

Based on what was learned coming this far up the Missouri, Clark shifts the boats‘ loads to the front. Interpreter and hunter George Drouillard leaves for St. Louis where Lewis is still working. More supplies are purchased, and some of the men pass the evening dancing with St. Charles ladies.

Stocking Up on Supplies

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

Keelboat c. 1815

Museum display of a long, narrow boat with a cabin filling most of the deck

From the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, www.rivermuseum.com. Photo by Chris Light who has licensed it under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Three Trade Knives

Three large knives with wooden handles

© 2013 by Kristopher K. Townsend. Permission to use granted under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Kentucky Keelboats

Two Keel Boats arrive from Kentucky to day loaded with whiskey Hats &c. &.
—William Clark

At the time of the expedition, keelboats were similar to the boat shown in the figure. The expedition’s large boat was called a barge not only by the expedition journalists but in letters from contemporary political and military leaders.

Dimensions:

Length: 63 feet
Width: 18 feet
Depth: 4 feet
Scale: ¼ inch = 1 foot

Reloading the Boats

I had the Boat & Pierogue reloded So as to Cause them to be heavyer in bow than asturn
—William Clark

Related: The Barge | The Pirogues

Lorimier and Drouillard Leave

Mr. Lauriesme returned from the Kickapoo Town to day [He] delayed a Short time & Set out for St. Louis, I Sent George Drewyer with Mr. Lauriesmus to St Louis & wrote to Cap Lewis
—William Clark

Shopping and Dancing

we bought some acceseries &c. for the voiage. passed the evening verry agreeable dancing with the french ladies, &c—
—Joseph Whitehouse

recved of Mr. Lyon 136 lb. Tobacco on act. of Mr. Choteau   Gave out tin Cups & 3 Knives to the French hands
—William Clark

“Mr. Choteau” could have been either Auguste Chouteau or Pierre Chouteau, likely the latter.

 
logo: Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail logo: National Park Service

Today, the St. Charles Historic District is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service.

 

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.

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.

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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.

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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).