Harpers Ferry in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

My Favorite Boat

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

My Favorite Boat Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Henry T. McLin, July 1, 2009

1. My Favorite Boat Marker

Inscription. The metal boat frame to your right is a replica of a collapsible boat built here for Lewis and Clark. Menwether Lewis came to the armory in 1803 to prepare for an epic cross-continent journey and oversee the construction and testing of the boat. Lewis successfully tested it in the nearby Potomac River. Unfortunately the boat failed them in the wild. Lewis wrote "She leaked in such manner that she would not answer ... [I] relinquished all further hope of my favorite boat.." He ordered his men to dig a cache and bury the frame along a Missouri River bank. The original boat frame has never been found.

Meriwether Lewis (left) designed the collapsible boat himself and oversaw construction of its frame at Harpers Ferry armory in 1803.

During testing here the metal frame was covered with animal hides and sealed with pine-pitch to make it water tight.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1803.

Location. 39° 19.439′ N, 77° 43.782′ W. Marker is in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. Marker can be reached

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from Potomac Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Harpers Ferry WV 25425, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Perfect Heap of Ruins (a few steps from this marker); Daring Escapes (a few steps from this marker); Racing West (a few steps from this marker); Smith and Forging Shop (a few steps from this marker); Home of Joseph Perkins (within shouting distance of this marker); Tailrace (within shouting distance of this marker); Six Acres That Changed the World (within shouting distance of this marker); Found Underground (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harpers Ferry.

View of the Potomac River and railroad trestles from the My Favorite Boat marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Henry T. McLin, July 1, 2009

2. View of the Potomac River and railroad trestles from the My Favorite Boat marker.

My Favorite Boat Marker and boat frame replica image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Henry T. McLin, July 1, 2009

3. My Favorite Boat Marker and boat frame replica

Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 878 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 4, 2009, by Henry T. McLin of Hanover, Pennsylvania. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.