Day-by-Day / July 14, 1804

July 14, 1804

Sudden storm

When the expedition encounters a sudden storm, the men must jump into the water to save the boats. An elk is wounded, and Lewis‘s dog, Seaman, joins the chase. They pass an old Otoe and Pawnee trading post and encamp southwest of present Langdon, Missouri.

Leaping Out to Save the Boat

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

Saving the Barge

The men jumping into the water holding ropes

Painting created by Split Rock Studios, Sioux City, Iowa. Original in the collection of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation and photographed by Kristopher K. Townsend.

Sudden Storm

we set forward: but in a short time a gust of wind and rain came on so violent, that all hands had to leap into the water to save the boat. Fortunately this storm did not last long —
—Patrick Gass

the two perogues about a quater of a mile above, one of them in a Similer Situation with the Boat, the other under the charge of George Gibson in a much better position, with her Ster[n] faceing the wind, this Storm Suddenly Seased, & 1 minit the river was as Smoth as glass
—William Clark

Related: The Barge (called the ‘boat’ or ‘barge’ but never the ‘keelboat’) | The Pirogues

Otoe and Pawnee Trading Post

passed an old fort on the north Side, Where Bennet of St. Louis wintered 2 years & traded with the Zotteaus [Otoes] & paunies [Pawnees].
—William Clark

Related: The Fur Trade

First Elk Encounter

we Saw three large Elk the first wild ones I ever Saw. Capt. Clark & drewyer Shot at them, but the distance was too long, they Ran or trotted in to the River and Seamon [Seaman] Swam across after them
—John Ordway

Nishnabotna Creek

above the Lower point of this Island on the S. S. a (2) large Creek coms into the river Called by the Maha’s [Omaha] Indians Neesh-nah-ba-to-na 50 yds this is a considerable Creek nearly as large as the Mine River, and runs parrelel with the Missouri, the Greater part of its Course.
—William Clark

 

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Plan a trip related to July 14, 1804:

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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.

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.

This page was funded in part by the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, U.S. National Park Service.

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Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
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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).