The weather is so cold at Fort Mandan amongst the Knife River Villagess that Lewis must substitute spirituous liquor for water to make an artificial horizon for his sextant. The blacksmiths make war axes and others try to free the boats from the river ice.
The Longitude of Fort Mandan
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
Artificial Horizon using Water
Illustration 2004 by Robert N. Bergantino.
The Day at Fort Mandan
Several Indians here wishing to get war hatchets made . . . . the man Sick yesterday is getting well Mr. Jessome [René Jusseaume] our interpeter was taken verry unwell this evening
—William Clark
Ellicott’s Artificial Horizon
Observed Equal altitudes with Sextant and artifical Horizon on the construction recommended by Mr. Andrew Ellicott, in which sperits were substituted for water, it being to could to use the latter.
—Meriwether Lewis
Cutting Ice and Prying Boats
all hands employed cutting the Ice from round the Barge. Got large prizes & attempted to Shake hir loose but found that we could not move hir without considerable more cutting or other means.
—John Ordway
Weather Diary
Ther. at rise
Weather Wind at Thert. at 4 P.M. Weather Wind at 4 P.M. River 2 [below 0] fair N W 15 [above 0] fair S W —Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “River” 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 January 28, 1805:
Fort Mandan is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. The North Dakota Department of Parks and Recreation manages a modern reconstruction and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center located at US Hwy 83 and ND Hwy 200A.
Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is a High Potential Historic Site along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail managed by the U.S. National Park Service. A unit of the National Park System, the site is located at 564 County Road 37, one-half mile north of Stanton, North Dakota. It has exhibits, trails, and a visitor center.
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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| ↑2 | To assist the reader, the editor of this web page has omitted the date column, merged the “River” columns, and spelled out some abbreviations. |
