November 15, 2002

Keelboat Replica offers visitors a glimpse into the past

s the 200th anniversary of Lewis and Clarks famous Corps of Discovery expedition approaches, events are already being planned that will allow visitors to take a glimpse into the past and experience the adventures of Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. 

The IMAX film "Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West" can be seen at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo until December 24th of this year. The film runs daily at 10am and 2pm. Ticket prices are $4.75 for children 3-11 years old and $6.75 for adults. A $1 discount is offered to Omaha Zoo Members. 

On Sunday, November 17th in Nebraska City, the living-history re-enactor Darrel Draper will portray Lewis and Clarks interpreter George Drouillard from the deck of a full-sized replica of the Corps of Discovery keelboat. 

George Drouillard, the 28-year-old son of a French Canadian father and Shawnee Indian mother, was recruited by Captain Meriwether Lewis upon reaching Fort Massac in November 1803. Captain Daniel Bissell, who had been ordered by the War Department to recruit volunteers for the Corps of Discovery, recommended Drouillard as an excellent hunter with a good knowledge of the Indians’ character and sign language.

Two free one-hour shows will be presented at the Factory Stores of America Mall in Nebraska City at 2pm and 4pm. The 7,000-pound keelboat has a temporary home at the outlet mall but will eventually be moved to the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitor Center which will be located in the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. The center will be open to visitors sometime in 2004. 

Draper will be performing his re-enactment in Omaha on February 5, 2003 at Columbia Elementary School at 10am and again at 2pm on the same day at 9834 Harney Parkway North. 

Two years ago, near Onawa, Iowa, A.C. "Butch" Bouvier began the restoration of a keelboat replica he originally built in 1985. The original replica was built and placed on display at Lewis and Clark State Park along with replica's of two Lewis and Clark support vessels. 

The 55-foot keelboat is believed to have been the first authentic keelboat replica built in the world. The keelboat made its maiden voyage during the annual Lewis and Clark Festival held at the park in 1988. 

In May of 1804 the Lewis & Clark expedition set out in a 55' keel boat along with two pirogues on their now famous expedition of discovery. Keel boats of this era were pushed, pulled, rowed, and sailed up the Missouri river. The red pirogue and the white pirogue were a form of longboat which closely resembled other small river craft plying the Missouri and Mississippi rivers in the early 1800's.

Bouvier maintained the keelboat for several years, repairing damage done to the vessel by wind, rain, sun and snow. Then in 1996, Bouvier decided to pursue other interests. Since no one was properly maintaining the boat, it eventually became neglected. Bouvier was asked and agreed to restore it. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources agreed to pay him $20,000 for the restoration work. The keelboat is now on display at the park. 

A White Pirouge called "The Raycliff" was built by Bouvier in 1989 and was launched in the summer of 1990 at the Lewis & Clark festival. The White Pirouge was used on the Platte River for filming a documentary for Nebraska ETV. 

It also made history when members of the 'Friends of Discovery' sponsored a crew to take it from the Fort Randall Dam to Pierre, South Dakota, making it the first replica to ever travel along the Missouri River. The trip took from September 13, 2002 to Spetember 28, 2002 to complete. The "Raycliff" will spend the winter and spring in Pierre, S.D. on display at the South Dakota Discovery Center and Aquarium.

If you're interested in building your own replica of the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition Keelboat - follow this link: http://keelboat.com/d1.htm . This site offers information on how you can purchase a kit to build a detailed 13" model. The kit was designed by Mr. Butch Bouvier, the designer and builder of the keelboat replica in Onawa. All proceeds from the sale of these kits will be used to maintain the "Discovery" (name given to the Onawa replica). 

Beginning in 2003, OmahaRiverFront.com will be publishing a series of articles as we retrace the Corps of Discovery's journey up the Missouri River to celebrate the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial. We will also be keeping you informed of special events that may coincide with this celebration.