The expedition nearly lost several members while negotiating rapids on the Clearwater River en route to the Snake River.
October 8, 1805. Clark: passed 15 rapids four Islands and a Creek on the Stard. Side at 16 miles just below which one canoe in which Sergt. Gass was Stearing and was nearle turning over, she Sprung a leak or Split open on one side and Bottom filled with water & Sunk on the rapid...
More from the journals about the Lower Snake River
October 8, 1805. Clark:...the men, Several of which Could not Swim hung on to the Canoe, I had on of the other Canoes unloaded & with the assistance of our Small Canoe and one Indian Canoe took out every thing & toed the empty Canoe on Shore, one man Tompson a little hurt, every thing wet particularly the greater part of our Small Stock of Merchandize
Photo: Sunrise at the Snake River, courtesy U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
October 8, 1805. Clark: passed 15 rapids four Islands and a Creek on the Stard. Side at 16 miles just below which one canoe in which Sergt. Gass was Stearing and was nearle turning over, she Sprung a leak or Split open on one side and Bottom filled with water & Sunk on the rapid...