Fort Mandan, preparing for departure — John Ordway: February 27, 1805
The crew prepared their boats for the changing season at Fort Mandan. They placed skids under the keelboat (Barge) to keep it safe and undamaged, and shifted the two pirogues to the north side of the line of huts to shield them from sun-cracking. Sixteen men readied their tools to build four new pirogues, with four men assigned to each. The commanding officers planned to leave the keelboat behind in spring and continue upriver toward the head of the Missouri using five pirogues.
fixed Skids under the Barge So as to have hir lay Safe without
takeing any Injury, moved the 2 perogues along the N. Side of
the line of huts So as to keep the Sun from cracking them. 16
men Got their tools in order to make 4 perogues 4 men destined
to make each perogue. the commanding officers mean to leave
the Barge here in the Spring, and go on with 5 perogues one old
one as they will be much better to go from this place to the head
of the Missouri.
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Fixed skids under the barge so as to have her lay safe without taking any injury. Moved the two pirogues along the north side of the line of huts so as to keep the sun from cracking them. Sixteen men got their tools in order to make four pirogues, four men assigned to make each pirogue. The commanding officers mean to leave the barge here in the spring, and go on with five pirogues including one old one, as they will be much better to go from this place to the head of the Missouri.
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