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A Photographic Essay on Lewis and Clark's Keelboat

Photo: A view of the port (left) side of the expedition's keelboat. It is mounted atop a trailer at the Wood River/Hartford, IL Signature Event.

A view of the port (left) side of the expedition's keelboat. It is mounted atop a trailer at the Wood River/Hartford, IL Signature Event.

Photo: The keelboat featured a "Commander's Pennant" on the stern as well as an American flag hoisted to the top of the mast. This pennant (per naval custom) marked the commanding officer's vessel in a flotilla (there were two pirogues accompanying the keelboat). It was made by sewing a white triangular piece of cloth to a section of the American flag that included only the blue field of stars and striped portion immediately below that.

The keelboat featured a "Commander's Pennant" on the stern as well as an American flag hoisted to the top of the mast. This pennant (per naval custom) marked the commanding officer's vessel in a flotilla (there were two pirogues accompanying the keelboat). It was made by sewing a white triangular piece of cloth to a section of the American flag that included only the blue field of stars and striped portion immediately below that.

Photo: The stern of the expedition’s keelboat with another view of the commanding officer's pendant.

The stern of the expedition’s keelboat with another view of the commanding officer's pendant.

Photo: View of the starboard (right) rear of the keelboat.

View of the starboard (right) rear of the keelboat.

Photo: The keelboat was powered by sails (whenever there was sufficient wind), as well as oars.

The keelboat was powered by sails (whenever there was sufficient wind), as well as oars.

Photo: Another view of the sail.

Another view of the sail.

Photo: The bow of the keelboat. Note the flat bottomed hull ideal for traveling on shallow rivers. Note - the real keelboat was not named "Best Friend". Those plaques were affixed to the hull of this recreation by the modern owner.

The bow of the keelboat. Note the flat bottomed hull ideal for traveling on shallow rivers. The actual keelboat (or "barge" as it was called by Lewis and Clark) was not named "Best Friend". That plaque was affixed to the hull of this particular vessel by Mr. Butch Bouvier who painstakingly researched and built this amazingly accurate replica [his sixth].

Photo:A view of the starboard bow of the keelboat.

A view of the starboard bow of the keelboat.

Photo: The cabin and raised navigation platform at the stern of the keelboat.

The cabin and raised navigation platform at the stern of the keelboat.

Photo: Another view of the fully rigged keelboat with prominent cabin and navigational deck in the stern.  The expedition had to carefully stow cargo aboard the vessel to make sure it did not capsize.

Another view of the fully rigged keelboat with prominent cabin and navigational deck in the stern. The expedition had to carefully stow cargo aboard the vessel to make sure it did not capsize.

Photo: The members of the expedition prepare to raise the National Colors to the top of the keelboat’s mainmast.  The “Red Pirogue” can be seen moored to the port side of the keelboat.  The expedition used two pirogues, one named “Red” and the other named “White” due to the color of their hulls.

The members of the expedition prepare to raise the National Colors to the top of the keelboat’s mainmast. The “Red Pirogue” can be seen moored to the port side of the keelboat. The expedition used two pirogues, one named “Red” and the other named “White” due to the color of their hulls.

Photo: The keelboat and “Red Pirogue” moored in the Mississippi River near Camp River Dubois, IL.  The triangular design of the commander’s pennant can be clearly seen on the stern of the keelboat.

The keelboat and “Red Pirogue” moored in the Mississippi River near Camp River Dubois, IL. The triangular design of the commander’s pennant can be clearly seen on the stern of the keelboat.

Photo: A close-up of the one-pounder cannon mounted on the bow of the keelboat.  The smaller pirogues had brass “Blunderbusses” (large shotguns) mounted on their bow for self-defense purposes.

A close-up of the one-pounder cannon mounted on the bow of the keelboat. The smaller pirogues had brass “Blunderbusses” (large shotguns) mounted on their bow for self-defense purposes.

 

Photo: 1802 Color Guard from A Company, 3rd Infantry (The Old Guard), Fort Myer, VA practicing their presentation of the colors for the opening ceremony.

Interior view of the cabin on the keelboat looking forward from the stern.

Photo: Interior cutaway view of the keelboat’s cabin looking toward the stern.  Note the cargo stowed beneath the floorboards.  There was literally not an inch of unused space on the vessel when the expedition set off in May 1804.

Interior cutaway view of the keelboat’s cabin looking toward the stern. Note the cargo stowed beneath the floorboards. There was literally not an inch of unused space on the vessel when the expedition set off in May 1804.

Photo: A view of the storage lockers built into the side of the hull.  The lids could be raised (seen here) for additional protection in case of attack from shore.  Even though the expedition had peaceful intents, they still prepared for the worst.

A view of the storage lockers built into the side of the hull. The lids could be raised (seen here) for additional protection in case of attack from shore. Even though the expedition had peaceful intents, they still prepared for the worst.

 

Photo: A interpreter is seen here demonstrating how Soldiers loaded their muskets to a member of the press.

A interpreter is seen here demonstrating how Soldiers loaded their muskets to a member of the press.

Photo: Pierre Cruzatte is seen here entertaining guests as well as the crew of the keelboat from the raised stern platform.  The “Blunderbuss” shotguns mounted on the keelboat can be seen on the rails on either side of Pierre.

Pierre Cruzatte is seen here entertaining guests as well as the crew of the keelboat from the raised stern platform. The “Blunderbuss” shotguns mounted on the keelboat can be seen on the rails on either side of Pierre.

Photo: Another view of the main deck of the keelboat.

Another view of the main deck of the keelboat.

 

Photo: A closeup of the one-pounder cannon mounted on the bow of the keelboat.

A closeup of the one-pounder cannon mounted on the bow of the keelboat.

Photo: The National Colors that flew atop the mainmast of the keelboat and pirogues.  It had a stylized eagle in the center of the blue field (which U.S. Coast Guard vessels still have today) which were normally flown by U.S. government vessels in that era.  This may indicate that Lewis obtained the flags (and commanders pennant) from naval supply sources.

The National Colors that flew atop the mainmast of the keelboat and pirogues. It had a stylized eagle in the center of the blue field (which U.S. Coast Guard vessels still have today) which were normally flown by U.S. government vessels in that era. This may indicate that Lewis obtained the flags (and commanders pennant) from naval supply sources.

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