LC-5AP Fort Clatsop, Giclee Art PrintDec 7, 1805: "On reaching the south side of the bay we ascended the Netul (RIver) for three miles, to the point of highland on its western bank and formed our camp in a thick grove of lofty pines, about 200 yards from the water, and 30 feet above the level of the high tides."December 8, 1805: "This seemed the most digible spot for our winter establishment." Rain continued on through December 9 and 10. "The whole party had been occupied in cutting down trees to make huts.." December 11, 1805: "Rain continued last night and the whole of this day. We were, however, all employed in putting up our winter-cabins, which we were anxious to finish..." December 12, 1805: "We continued to work in the rain at our houses." There was no interval in the rain, while work continued on the fort until December 30th. "It had rained during the night, but in the morning, though the high wind continued, we enjoyed the fairest and most pleasant weather since our arrival; the sun having shone at intervals, and there being only three showers in the course of the day...our fortification is completed this evening at Sun Set. We let the natives know that our custom will be in the future, to Shut the gates at Sun Set at which time all Indians must go out of the fort and not return into it until next morning after Sunrise at which time the gates will be opened. The men in the Corps of Discovery went through a lot of hardship. Their clothing, made of animal skins, rotted on their bodies due to the daily rainfall. At times food was scarce. When they found deer and elk to kill, it would rot before they could eat all of it. They finally completed the fort and it offered facilities for smoking meat and drying animal skins for making clothing. There was much preparation for their trip home, including making canoes. The men in this painting are going to the river bank where canoes are being made. |
||||
|
 |
Also available in: |
||
|
|
 |
 | |
 |
|
 |
|
