Quick Facts
Location:
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Significance:
Meriwether Lewis purchased his dog, Seaman, somewhere along the Ohio River, and Seaman traveled down the River with Lewis and crew.
Designation:
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
MANAGED BY:
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Amenities
1 listed
Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board
Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums
Visitor Centers and Museums along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Around the time he departed Pittsburgh in late August 1803, Meriwether Lewis recruited crew members.
One of those new recruits may have been a dog.
Lewis purchased a Newfoundland dog in September 1803 for $20 (roughly $500 in 2022 dollars). Why?
Newfoundland dogs are known to be intelligent, hard-working, loyal, and well-tempered animals, as well as good hunters and swimmers. This meant Seaman could handle a mostly river-bound journey and help with hunting, all while being good-natured.
Seaman especially loved to chase squirrels in the river. Maybe he loved it even more because of how much his human liked eating them. Day after day on the Ohio River, Lewis saw squirrels swimming across the river-almost always from the north to the south shore, he observed. Most days, Seaman would hop in the river and chase after a few.
After he swam his heart out, Seaman would return to the boat, sopping wet. Maybe Lewis would have to help hoist him back onto the boat, or maybe he’d jump himself, heavy fur and all. He may have been proud to please his human with a squirrel offering, and perhaps excited to hop back again into the river and go chase some more.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
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* lewis & clark national historic trail
* lewis and clark
* lewis and clark expedition
* lewis and clark national historic trail
* georeferenced interpretive content
* ohio river
* pets
* ohio
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
