SIOUX CITY’S LEWIS AND CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER WILL OPEN A NEW PERMANENT EXHIBIT THIS SATURDAY, COMMEMORATING THE CORP OF DISCOVERY’S KEELBOAT USED ON THEIR TREK THROUGH THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE TERRITORY IN 1804.
THE FLAT BOTTOM KEELBOAT WAS DESIGNED TO CARRY HEAVY LOADS OF CARGO.
THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION NEEDED AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF SUPPLIES, MAKING THE KEELBOAT HEAVY AND HARD TO MOVE.
THEY BROUGHT 12 TONS OF EQUIPMENT INCLUDING FOOD, GUNS, PEACE MEDALS, TENTS, AND 420 POUNDS OF LEAD FOR BULLETS AND 176 POUNDS OF GUNPOWDER.
THE MISSOURI RIVER WAS VERY SHALLOW, BUT THE WATER WAS VERY STRONG AND FAST WHEN LEWIS AND CLARK TRAVELED UP IT IN 1804.
WIND POWER PROVIDED VERY LITTLE HELP TO TRAVEL UP THE RIVER.
THE CREW SPENT MANY DAYS ROWING THE BOAT, USING POLES TO PUSH THE BOAT FROM THE RIVERBED, AND TYING ROPES TO DRAG IT.
THE GRAND OPENING EVENT IS FROM NOON UNTIL 5:00 P.M. SATURDAY WITH THE FIRST 100 VISITORS RECEIVING A FREE KEELBOAT NICKEL, SUGAR SHACK COOKIES AND A PAMPHLET FILLED WITH FACTS ABOUT THE BOAT.
