The Boats that Went Down the River
There were four wooden boats that transported the men on their expedition down the Colorado River.
The boats contained air tight compartments that stored their supplies and rations. While Whitehall boats typically made for great river boats, they were inadequate to safely navigate the rocky currents of most of the river.
To survive the roughest parts, the men would often have to "portage" a boat, meaning they would carry it along the bank until they reached clear waters. Sometimes, the men would tie the boats to a line and manually lower them down the elevation of the river, while they stood on the bank. While these methods were technically safer, it slowed the expedition and cost valuable time and rations. After losing the No Name to a wreck at Disaster Falls, the crew finished the river in the three remaining boats, with heavier weights due to the redistribution of bodies, but with less supplies.
- The Emma Dean (Named after Powell's wife) Held: John Wesley Powell, John Sumner, and William Dunn
- The No Name Held: O.G. Howland, Seneca Howland, and Frank Goodman
- Kitty Clyde's Sister Held: Walter H. Powell (Old Shady), and George Young Bradley
- The Maid of the Canyon Held: William Hawkins and Andrew Hall
The boats contained air tight compartments that stored their supplies and rations. While Whitehall boats typically made for great river boats, they were inadequate to safely navigate the rocky currents of most of the river.
To survive the roughest parts, the men would often have to "portage" a boat, meaning they would carry it along the bank until they reached clear waters. Sometimes, the men would tie the boats to a line and manually lower them down the elevation of the river, while they stood on the bank. While these methods were technically safer, it slowed the expedition and cost valuable time and rations. After losing the No Name to a wreck at Disaster Falls, the crew finished the river in the three remaining boats, with heavier weights due to the redistribution of bodies, but with less supplies.