Lewis Purchases Seaman the Newfoundland Dog

While waiting for the completion of the keelboat in Pittsburgh, Meriwether Lewis purchased a large Newfoundland dog for $20—a considerable sum at the time. Lewis named the dog Seaman (sometimes misread as “Scannon” in early transcriptions of the journals). The Newfoundland breed was prized for its swimming ability, strength, intelligence, and loyalty—qualities that would prove invaluable on the journey ahead.

Lewis recorded the purchase matter-of-factly in his journal, but Seaman would become one of the most enduring figures of the expedition. The dog would travel the entire 8,000-mile route to the Pacific Ocean and back, the only animal to complete the full journey. Lewis clearly formed a deep bond with Seaman, frequently noting the dog’s activities in his journal entries over the next three years.

Newfoundlands were working dogs, originally bred by fishermen in Newfoundland, Canada. They could weigh over 150 pounds, had webbed feet for swimming, and thick, water-resistant double coats. These characteristics made Seaman an ideal expedition companion—he could retrieve game from rivers, serve as a guard dog, and endure the harsh conditions of the frontier.