Thunder Canoe - Conclusion

by Dan R. Conway

(First appeared in the Hysham Echo on March 31, 1927)

(Cont. from last week)

The “Yellowstone”

Up to 1830 the American Fur company still clung to their keel boats, and dragged them by human labor from St. Louis to the mouth of the Yellowstone, when Pierre Choteau and the other members of the company determined to try a steam boat on the upper Missouri, and for this purpose resolved to build a new boat suitable to the dangers of the navigation. The boat was built at Pittsburgh, and in the spring of 1831 left that port for St. Louis. She was christened the Yellowstone, possessed timbers of unusual size, and withal so solid and staunch, that she set very low in the water, drawing three feet light and five feet loaded, seriously unfitting her to glide over the numerous shoals in her destined path. She was a side-wheel boat, with the cabin on the same deck with the boiler, and her single engine propelled the wheels by a single shaft, necessitating the unshipping of one wheel when in making abrupt turns it was desired to revolve only the other. She was commanded by Captain Bennett, and Mr. Choteau was so interested in the success of the experiment that he accompanied her in the first voyage.

The Yellowstone succeeded in reaching Fort Pierre, in 1831, but an insufficiency of water prevented her further progress, and she returned to St. Louis. In 1832 the boat made a second voyage, Mr. Choteau again accompanying her, and this time succeeded in reaching Fort Union, at the mouth of the Yellowstone, with the annual supplies for that post. The boat was a decided triumph, and the company immediately took steps to construct another boat of larger size, with such modifications as were suggested by the experience gained in the two voyages of the Yellowstone. This boat, too, was built at Pittsburgh, and was called the Assiniboine, but her cabin was upon the upper deck.

The “Assiniboine”

The Assiniboine made her first trip in 1833, ascending to Fort Union and returning safely to St. Louis. On board, as a passenger, was the celebrated Catlin, who subsequently distinguished himself by his works upon the Indians and his collection of aboriginal curiosities. In 1834 the Assiniboine returned to Fort Union, repeating the trip in 1835. In the latter year, after discharging her cargo at Fort Union, she made an experimental trip still higher up the river, attaining the mouth of Poplar creek. Here she was caught by the falling water and compelled to pass the winter. A fort was built for the double purpose of protecting the vessel and trading with the Indians, and the next spring she returned to Fort Union. Receiving her cargo of peltries she continued her downward voyage, but in the vicinity of Hart River, not far from the present town of Bismarck, she was destroyed by fire with the loss of her entire cargo. The origin of the fire could not be ascertained, but it was believed to be incendiarism.

The American Fur company subsequently owned a considerable number of steamboats, and every year saw one or more ascend to the mouth of the Yellowstone. Several attempts were made to push still higher up the river, but with indifferent success, as only the El Paso succeeded in passing the mouth of Milk river, and this only a few miles. Keelboats, therefore, continued in use upon the Missouri, above Fort Union, and upon the Yellowstone. But in 1859 a more determined effort was made. The Chippewa had been built by the company with special reference to the difficulties to be surmounted above the Yellowstone, being of light draft and of a model well suited to buffet the swift current of the upper river. The boat had a stern wheel, being the first of that description ever employed upon the Upper Missouri. She was commanded by Captain John Labarge, one of the best steamboat men that ever navigated the Missouri, and Mr. Charles P Choteau accompanied her as his father had the Yellowstone.

The “Chippewa”

The Chippewa left St. Louis in the spring of 1859. The Spread Eagle accompanied her to Fort Union, where, under the orders of Mr. Choteau, she was to remain until the return of the Chippewa, which continued her voyage up the river. When she reached and passed the point above the mouth of Milk river attained by the El Paso, and passed on through waters never before stemmed by a steamer, a shout went up from all on board, the cannons were fired, and a scene of general rejoicing ensued. It was considered doubtful whether the Chippewa would be able to pass the shallows above the mouth of the Judith, and a large mackinaw ninety feet long was towed behind to lighten her by unloading the freight destined for Fort Benton. This was done just above the mouth of the Judith, the Chippewa passed on, and on the 17th day of June arrived at the site of Fort McKenzie (Brule), a few miles below Fort Benton. Here the venturesome voyage ended, and rejoiced at having achieved so decided a triumph, Mr. Choteau turned the prow of the Chippewa toward St. Louis. Upon his arrival at Fort Union he found that the Spread Eagle had disobeyed instructions and sailed down the river. Her captain had become alarmed at the rapid falling of the water, and left a few days after the departure of the Chippewa on her upward trip. The following year the Chippewa ascended to Benton, with the Key West, and in 1860 the first steamboat reached the head of Missouri navigation, July 2. Print this post