Lewis Prepares to Depart Pittsburgh

Lewis continued preparations in Pittsburgh for the journey down the Ohio River. The keelboat, commissioned months earlier, was still not complete, causing Lewis growing frustration. He spent the day overseeing final construction and acquiring additional supplies from local merchants.

The expedition’s first vessel was being built by a local boat builder who had repeatedly delayed completion. Lewis had been waiting in Pittsburgh since mid-July, losing valuable travel time as the Ohio River levels dropped with the late summer drought.