On this day in Lewis & Clark history...
The canoes safely pass several Clearwater River rapids. At the Potlatch River, a canoe hits a rock, turns sideways, and fills with water. With the help of the Nez Perce, the men are rescued and most of the cargo is recovered.
From the journals...
October 8th Tuesday 1805
a cloudy morning
Tuesday October 8th
The day proved warm.
Clearwater River below Cherrylane, Idaho
Tuesday October 8th
The Current of the River has run rapid the most part of the way this day, & in some places we found the River very deep.
Clearwater River below Lenore, Idaho
Tuesday October 8th
We passed by large Clifts of rocks & naked hills lying on both sides of the River.—
Clearwater River below Myrtle, Idaho
October 8th Tuesday 1805
We passed Several Encampments of Indians on the Islands and those near the rapids in which places they took the Salmon
Clearwater River island at Cottonwood Creek
October 8th Tuesday 1805
passed 15 rapids four Islands and a Creek on the Stard Side
the men, Several of which Could not Swim hung on to the Canoe
Potlatch River (Colter's Creek) entering the Clearwater River
Tuesday October 8th
as we were descending a rocky rapid at the foot of an Island on which were some Indian camps, One of our Canoes struck a rock, and wheeled round, where she again Struck another rock and Cracked the bottom of it, & was near splitting in two; & threw the Man who was steering her overboard, but he with great difficulty got to her again
Clearwater River below the Potlatch River
Tuesday October 8th
This Canoe soon filled with water & hung on the rock in a perilous situation. Some of the Men on board of her, could not swim; & those Men that could, had no chance of saving themselves, the Waves ran so high, and the current was so rapid, that they must have been dashed against Rocks that lay below them a short distance & in all probability must have drownded.
Clearwater River above Arrow Beach
Tuesday October 8th
It was very fortunate for those Men, that an Indian who saw their situation from the Island we passed last, came to their assistance with a small Canoe & One of our Canoes went also, & took out some of the loading & landed it safe on the Shore.
Island in the Clearwater River opposite the Potlatch River
Tuesday October 8th
Our party were all rejoiced at the fortunate escape that the Men made that were in the Canoe, & think that nothing but the Interference of providence was the occasion.
Clearwater River sunset
