N3834

Lewis & Clark Expedition - Bicentennial

Fred's Anecdotal Note

"Ocian in View"

As the Corps of Discovery descended the Columbia river in late 1805, signs of the Pacific Coast began to emerge. On Nov. 3rd they reached Beacon Rock which marked the beginning of tidewater. The banks were covered with fir, spruce, ash, and alder. Migrating waterfowl were plentiful and fog was frequent. On Nov. 5th the first coastal canoes were sighted. On Nov. 7th William Clark wrote the historic notation in his journal "Ocean in view! O! the Joy."

The expedition had come to the estuary where the waters of the Columbia met the Pacific Ocean. That night Clark wrote "Great joy in camp we are in view of the ocean, this great Pacific ocean which we been so long anxious to see. " Each individual must have felt a deep sense of pride and accomplishment as they went to sleep that night. On Nov. 18th Clark carved into a tree the amazing words "By landfrom the U. States in 1804 & 1805." He added his name and the date.