The Experiment
Meriwether Lewis designed a lightweight, collapsible iron boat frame that could be transported easily and then assembled and covered when needed. The iron frame consisted of eight sections that, when connected, reached a length of 36 feet 4 1/2 inches and had a weight of 176 pounds. The addition of wood braces and an animal hide covering brought the total weight to 690 pounds. Lewis figured that the boat would carry a load of 8000 pounds.
Lewis' men began assembly the boat they referred to as the "Experiment" on June 23, 1805, above the Great Falls in modern-day Montana. The frame pieces were fastened together with screws and covered with the hides of twenty-eight elk and four buffalo. However, no pine trees could be found in the region, and they had no way to make the pitch needed to seal the seams. The mixture of beeswax, tallow, and charcoal they used instead did not seal the seams properly, and the boat quickly filled with water when placed in the river. Lewis' Experiment had to be abandoned.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 23, 1805.
Location. 38° 46.373′ N, 90° 28.928′ W. Marker
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Regionally, this marker is in the Missouri River Corridor and in Greater St. Louis. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Potato (a few steps from this marker); May 21, 1804 (a few steps from this marker); Onions (a few steps from this marker); Corn, Pole Beans, Squash / Habanero & Jalapeno Peppers / Tomato (a few steps from this marker); Tracking the Boats (a few steps from this marker); The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri (a few steps from this marker); Marsh Mallows (within shouting distance of this marker); Bishop's Landing (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Charles.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Sunflower (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 352 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on September 8, 2025, by Garrett Koch of Saint Louis, Missouri.
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