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Unlike the Chinookan canoes, the explorers' boats steered poorly and took on water easily. By Bill Speiden Date published: 2/18/2006
Part 61 of a series THE CORPS OF DISCOVERY In contrast, the Chinookan canoes had thinner sides with more pointed bows. Not only was the design of their canoes more sophisticated, but the superior rowing and steering skills of the natives made their craft far more seaworthy. Fir trees grew fat and tall: With an annual rainfall at the Columbia River estuary ranging from 75 to 90 inches a year, the several species of evergreen trees in the area grew to heights of more than 200 feet, and often measured more than 35 feet in circumference at chest height. From the Journals, week of Jan. 30, 1806: JAN. 30: " we are agreeably disappointed in our fuel which is altogether green pine. We had supposed that it burn but illy [poorly], but we have found that by splitting it that it burns very well. The dress of the Clatsops [they] never wear legging[s] or mockersons [as they are] frequently in the water [which] renders those articles inconvient " --Capt. Lewis JAN. 31: "Sent a party of eight men up the river this morning to renew their surch [search] for the Elk found the river so obstructed with ice [they were] obliged to return. Joseph Fields arrived this morning had been hunting with Gipson and Willard for five days to obtain meat for Salt makers unsuccessful until yesterday killed two Elk " --Capt. Lewis FEB. 1: " The canoes of the natives [the Chinooks] inhabiting the lower portion of the Columbia River make their canoes remarkably neat[,] light and well adapted for riding high waves. I have seen the natives near the coast riding waves in those canoes with safety and apparently without concern some of the large canoes are upwards of 50 feet long and will carry from 8 to 10 thousand lbs, or from 20 to thirty persons " --Capt. Lewis
Date published: 2/18/2006
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