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 Captain Meriwether Lewis is a special kind of ship called a dredge. It's a National Historic Landmark in the U.S. This means it's a very important historical site. This ship helped control floods and made rivers easier to travel on. It's one of the few ships like it still around today.
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The Story of the Captain Meriwether Lewis
The Captain Meriwether Lewis was built in West Virginia. Its construction started in 1931. The US Army Corps of Engineers launched it on December 12, 1931, even though it was only half-finished. They completed building the ship the next year.
This huge ship was a side-wheel steam paddle dredge. It was used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Its main job was to keep the Missouri River clear. This made it easier for other boats to travel on the river.
How the Dredge Worked
The Captain Meriwether Lewis was very long, about 268 feet! That's longer than a football field. It had a crew of 52 people, but could hold up to 58.
This powerful ship could dig up to 20 feet deep. It moved at a speed of 150 to 200 feet per hour while digging. Two large 25-foot steam-powered paddle wheels helped it move. When all three of its steam engines were running, the dredge used a lot of oil. It could burn up to 6,000 gallons in just one day!
The ship had special boilers that made steam. These boilers could produce a lot of steam, especially when the ship was digging. A strong 1,300 horsepower engine powered the main pump. This pump helped suck up mud and sand from the river bottom. When the ship was dredging, it was pulled forward by two "deck gypsies." These were like winches that pulled the ship along. The paddle wheels were mostly for steering.
From Working Ship to Museum
In 1976, the Captain Meriwether Lewis finished its work. It was then given to the Nebraska State Historical Society. The ship was moved to Brownville, Nebraska in 1977. It was placed on dry land next to the Missouri River, where it still sits today.
In 1989, the Captain Meriwether Lewis was named a National Historic Landmark. Today, it is home to the Museum of Missouri River History. Visitors can explore the ship and learn about its important role. They can also discover the history of the Missouri River.
Museum of Missouri River History
The Museum of Missouri River History opened in 1981. It is located inside the Captain Meriwether Lewis ship. You can find the museum's exhibits on the boiler deck.
The museum teaches visitors about many things. You can learn about Native American history in the area. There are also exhibits about early explorers and how people moved west. Of course, you can learn all about the ship itself. The museum also explains how the ship helped improve travel on the Missouri River.
See also
