Captain Meriwether Lewis facts for kids
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
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| Owner |
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| Builder | Marietta Manufacturing Co. |
| Launched | 12 December 1931 |
| Completed | 1932 |
| Out of service | 1976 |
| Status | Museum ship |
| General characteristics | |
| Length | 268 ft 11+1⁄2 in (82 m) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Crew | 52 |
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Captain Meriwether Lewis (Dredge)
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 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Brownville, Nebraska |
| NRHP reference No. | 77000833 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 28, 1977 |
| Designated NHL | April 11, 1989 |
The dredge Captain Meriwether Lewis is a special boat that helps keep rivers clear. It is a U.S. National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important part of American history. This boat is one of the few left of its kind. It was built to help control floods and make it easier for other boats to travel on rivers.
Contents
History of the Captain Meriwether Lewis
Building a River Giant
The Captain Meriwether Lewis was built by the Marietta Manufacturing Company. This company was located in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. The boat was launched on December 12, 1931. At that time, it was only half-finished. The US Army Corps of Engineers completed building it the next year.
How the Dredge Worked
This huge boat was a side-wheel steam paddle dredge. It was used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Its main job was to help shape the Missouri River. It also kept the river deep enough for other boats to use.
The Captain Meriwether Lewis was very long, about 268 feet. That's longer than two basketball courts! It usually had a crew of 52 people. There was room for up to 58 men to live on board.
This powerful dredge could dig down 20 feet into the riverbed. It moved forward at about 150 to 200 feet per hour while digging. Its power came from two large 25-foot steam-powered paddle wheels. When all three of its steam engines were running, the dredge used a lot of fuel. It could burn up to 6,000 gallons of oil in just one day!
Moving and Digging Power
The boat had special boilers that made steam. These boilers could produce a lot of steam, especially when the boat was digging. A powerful 1,300 horsepower engine helped run the main pump. This pump was used to suck up mud and sand from the river bottom.
When the dredge was digging, it didn't use its paddle wheels to move forward. Instead, it used two "deck gypsies." These were like large winches that pulled the boat along using cables. This allowed it to dig steadily.
Life After Service
In 1976, the Captain Meriwether Lewis stopped working. It was then given to the Nebraska State Historical Society. One year later, in 1977, it was moved to Brownville, Nebraska. The boat was placed on dry land next to the Missouri River. It has stayed there ever since.
In 1989, the Captain Meriwether Lewis was named a National Historic Landmark. Today, it is home to the Museum of Missouri River History.
Museum of Missouri River History
Visiting the Historic Dredge
The Nebraska State Historical Society took over the ship in 1976. They moved it to Brownville, Nebraska the next year. The ship is now on dry land next to the Missouri River. Visitors can go inside and explore the ship.
What You Can See at the Museum
The Museum of Missouri River History opened in 1981. Its exhibits are located in several rooms on the boat's boiler deck. You can learn about many interesting topics there. These include the history of Native Americans in the area. You can also learn about early explorers and the westward expansion of the United States. Of course, you'll also discover more about the ship itself. The museum explains its important role in making the Missouri River easier to travel on.
See also
