Journal Entry

Building and occupying Fort Clatsop — Patrick Gass: December 22, 1805

December 22, 1805
Building and occupying Fort Clatsop Thwaites Vol. Gass 1807 First Edition
AI Summary

The party set out early, spotting many ducks, geese, and gulls. At 10 a.m. they reached a large island where the river cuts through a high hill, and noted the Sho-sho-ne or Snake-Indian River entering from the south with rapids at its mouth, identifying it as the same river whose headwaters they had seen at the Snake nation. Numerous natives lived along the river in bulrush-mat lodges. Three miles downstream they hit the first major rapids and made a 1,300-yard portage, moving all baggage by evening but uncertain whether the canoes could pass by water. They traveled 18 miles.

early, and saw a great number of ducks, geese and gulls. At
10 o’clock we came to a large island, where the river has cut
its way through the point of a high hill. Opposite to this
island a large river comes in on the south side, called by the
natives the Sho-sho-ne or Snake-Indian river; and which has
large rapids close to its mouth. This, or the Ki-moo-ee-nem,
is the same river, whose head waters we saw at the Snake
nation.
The natives are very numerous on the island and all along
the river. Their lodges are of bulrushes and flags, made into
a kind of mats, and formed into a hut or lodge.
About 3 miles lower down we came to the first falls or
great rapids; and had 1300 yards of a portage over bad
ground. All our baggage was got over this evening and we
encamped with it ; but are not certain whether we can take
our canoes by water. Our voyage to-day, to the head of the
rapids or falls was 18 miles.

Read this entry in modern English AI-translated

We started early and saw a great number of ducks, geese, and gulls. At 10 o'clock we came to a large island, where the river has cut its way through the point of a high hill. Opposite this island, a large river comes in on the south side, called by the natives the Sho-sho-ne or Snake-Indian river, which has large rapids close to its mouth. This, or the Ki-moo-ee-nem, is the same river whose head waters we saw at the Snake nation.

The natives are very numerous on the island and all along the river. Their lodges are made of bulrushes and flags woven into a kind of mat and formed into a hut or lodge.

About 3 miles lower down we came to the first falls, or great rapids, and had a 1300-yard portage over bad ground. All our baggage was carried over this evening, and we camped with it, but we are not certain whether we can take our canoes through by water. Our voyage today, to the head of the rapids or falls, was 18 miles.

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