Boats of the Expedition

At Lewis and Clark State park near Onawa, Iowa, this beautiful full-scale, working replica of the expedition's keelboat has been built by local volunteers.

The keelboat, designed by Lewis and built in Pittsburgh, Pa, was 55 feet long and 8 feet wide at midships.

Skip mans the swivel cannon that was the heaviest weapon carried on the journey. Lewis and Clark fired the cannon to demonstrate to the native chiefs the great power of their "new father" in Washington, DC.

Mary stands at the main mast facing aft. The boat could be propelled by rowing, sailing, pulling with ropes, or pushing against the river bottom with 30 ft. poles. When using poles, the men would walk from front to back along the tops of the benches seen here at either side. The lids of the benches could be lifted against the gunwales for defense.

Two smaller "pirogues" were also used.

Go Back to Main Page

Next Area