N3839

Lewis & Clark Expedition - Bicentennial

Fred's Anecdotal Note

The Salt-Making Camp

On December 8, 1805, Captain Clark set out from Fort Clatsop to find the best route to the ocean and once there to locate a suitable site for a salt-making camp. For the retum trip, salt would be a precious commodity. Three days later he was back in camp announcing his success. The location of the salt-making camp was just south of present-day Seaside, Oregon and today a small marker permanently commemorates the spot. The Bicentennial pictorial postmark on this cover was obtained two hundred years later during a re-enactment at the actual site. 

The first party Ieft on Dec. 28th for the camp and it was continuously manned for the rest of the winter. The usual complement was three men, and Private William Werner from Kentucky seems to have spent the most time there. He is shown wearing the blue uniform fatigue cap. Also shown are Privates Hugh McNeal from Pennsylvania (wearing a Clatsop conical hat) and Richard Windsor (place of birth unknown) in a hood and carrying firewood. Visiting the camp and looking on is Sergeant Nathaniel Pryor. He is wearing a round hat known as a Canadian cap which was made from fur and felt. The men would boil the sea water in three kettles and then scrape off the remaining salt. During the camp's duration, four bushels of salt were secured for the return journey.

On January 5th the salt-makers brought to the fort a sample of their product. Lewis wrote, "We found it excellent, fine, strong & white. This was a great treat to myself and most of the party...I say most of the party, for my friend Capt. Clark declares it to be a mear matter of indfference with him whether he uses it or not; for myself I must confess l felt a considerable inconvenience from the want of it." Clark added, "I care but little haveing from habit became entirely cearless about my diat."