Thaleichthys pacificus
by Joseph A. MussulmanOn 24 February 1806, Meriwether Lewis recorded that the Clatsop Indian chief, Coboway, came to the fort to sell some hats, some sturgeon, and “a species of small fish which now begin to run, and are taken in great quantities.”
The Lemhi Shoshones were the first Indians they had seen since leaving the Hidatsas and Mandans. In describing them, Lewis was breaking entirely new scientific ground. His account is therefore invaluable as the first description ever of a Rocky Mountain tribe, in an almost pre-contact stage.
Seaman stolen
On this wet spring day at the Cascades of the Columbia, the men tow four dugout canoes through the “big Shoote.” Hostilities ensue when a few local Indians start stealing things—even Lewis’s dog Seaman.
Stolen canoe claimed
On their way to present Aldrich Point, they cross shallow waters crowded with islands, and a Kathlamet man guides them to the correct channel. The guide claims he is the owner of one of their canoes.
Food for the sick
Tongue Point, Astoria, OR Spirits lift when the morning proves fair and fresh elk meat arrives. Clark recovers with wapato and elk soup. Elsewhere, Lewis continues looking for a winter camp.
First Pacific elk killed
Tongue Point, Astoria, OR J. Field brings in marrow bones from their first Pacific elk killed. Clark and several men are ill. Lewis is looking for a place for winter camp.
"O! how Tremendious"
Tongue Point, Astoria, OR The rain continues, the party has no way to keep dry, the hunters have no success, and in the afternoon a “Tremendious” wind storm arrives. Clark calls it a disagreeable situation.
Sheltering at Tongue Point
Tongue Point, Astoria, OR After receiving Indian visitors, they paddle to present-day Tongue Point. There, they are forced to take shelter from high wind and waves. Everyone is wet and disagreeable.
Exploring a long beach
Long Beach and Station Camp, WA Clark and his group continue over rugged hills from Cape Disappointment to present-day Long Beach, Washington. At Station Camp, one of the men trades his old razor for a Chinookan woven hat.
The astonishing Pacific Ocean
Station Camp near Chinook, WA Clark takes a group to view the Pacific Ocean. On the way, they collect a California condor specimen and mark their names on trees. The men behold “with estonishment the high waves dashing against the rocks & this emence ocian.”
A disappointing cape
Station Camp near Chinook, WA Having explored Cape Disappointment, Lewis returns to Station Camp without finding any trading ships. Despite his report of a very bad road, several men volunteer to go there with Clark tomorrow.
Moving to Station Camp
Station Camp near Chinook, WA The stormy weather finally breaks, and the main party paddles to Baker’s Bay, the end of their westward water journey. Camp is established near the Chinook’s Middle Village.
Lewis looks for ships
Dismal Nitch and Baker Bay, WA John Colter informs the captains that a better encampment site is not far down the river. Lewis and four others go there to look for ships. Because of the constant rain, everyone’s clothing rots away.
Kathlamet visitors
Small Nitch near Knappton, WA The Corps makes the best of their poor location exposed to high waves and driving rain. Five Kathlamet visitors skillfully cross the river in a canoe loaded with sockeye salmon.
Seasick paddlers
Grays Bay, WA Wet weather continues. While crossing Grays Bay, high waves force the canoes to stay close to shore. They cross safely but arrive with several seasick paddlers.
Among the Cowlitz People
Little Cape Horn, WA The night is rainy and during the day, the men paddle in the rain past villages at the mouth of the Cowlitz. They buy salmon and wapato and are told that Captain Haley visits the mouth of the Columbia. At camp, they build large fires to dry out and kill the fleas infesting their blankets.
Sending for Capt. Lewis
Sgt. Charles Floyd and Pvt. George Shannon leave Camp River Dubois with two horses to meet Cpt. Meriwether Lewis who is crossing over from St. Louis by boat. By afternoon, Lewis arrives at camp.
Buffalo bones
Big Bone Lick, KY Lewis is likely collecting fossil specimens and sending them to the nearest Ohio River landing so that the bones can be shipped to President Thomas Jefferson.
Salt Lick Creek
Near Vanceburg, KY On or near this date, Lewis stops at or passes by the Ohio River towns of Alexandria and Vanceburg. Lewis provides no journal entry, but Thomas Rodney describes this area nine days later.
Jefferson's letter of credit
The news of the Louisiana Purchase is made public and President Jefferson issues Meriwether Lewis an open letter of credit to pay for supplies or passage should he meet any ships at the Pacific Ocean.
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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).
