250 
NAVIGABILITY OF THE MISSOURI. 
much broader; the waters separate into many different channels, forming numerous sand-islands, 
sometimes covered with forests of cotton-wood. 
This subdivision of the waters forms one of the most serious obstacles to the navigation of the 
river. It requires great care and experience to keep in the main channel, for, if it is once lost, 
one becomes involved in difficulty. I found that in every instance there was always a main 
channel containing a sufficient depth of water. I arrived at Fort Leavenworth on the 9th of 
November, having sailed a distance of more than 2,000 miles since the 22d of September. I was 
detained about one-third of the time by the high winds which prevail on the Missouri in the 
autumn, and prevented from travelling at night by the numerous snags found in the channel. 
The difficulties I had to contend with in my journey were principally high winds, snags, sand¬ 
bars, and a crooked channel. A wind which would not affect a steamer sensibly, would render 
the “Blackfoot” completely unmanageable; and from the little power I had in comparison to the 
size of my boat, I found it extremely difficult to make the sharp turns in the channel. 
I have no hesitation in expressing an opinion, founded upon actual observation and experience 
in the navigation of shallow rivers of a similar character, that a steamer properly constructed, 
drawing two feet of water, can at all seasons, when the river is not frozen, ascend as far as Fort 
Union, and that one drawing twenty inches can go up beyond Fort Benton. 
The kind of steamer best adapted to the service is a matter to be carefully considered. In 
many places the river is so much obstructed by snags as hardly to leave a passage-way for a 
boat: in such cases the stem-wheel steamer would have the advantage; but in crossing bars and 
makii g short turns, which is so often necessary, as well to follow the channel as to avoid snags, 
side-wheels would be much preferable. I am of the opinion that a side-wheel steamer, built as 
strong and narrow as possible in proportion to its length, and drawing twenty inches of water, 
would be the best one that could be used. 
It is unnecessary to point out depots for wood ; the voyager has but to land anywhere on the 
river and plant his axe into the fine cotton-wood forests with which this magnificent stream is 
lined. The supply is inexhaustible. As accurate surveys of the river have been made by 
Lieutenants Grover and Donelson, I have only given, in this brief report of my journey, the 
results of my own observations with reference to the navigation at a low stage of the water. I 
have omitted, also, all the incidents of my voyage, which were interesting and varied. We had 
many adventures with Indians little accustomed to meeting with their white brothers; and the 
lediousness of the otherwise monotonous voyage was relieved by many an exciting chase after 
the buffalo and other wild animals with which this country abounds. 
I am confident that enough has been presented to prove that this great river can be navigated 
by steamboats for a distance far exceeding that of any other, and that their whistle will soon be 
heralding the advance of civilization into the heart of the Blackfoot nation. 
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
R. SAXTON, 
Lieutenant Fourth Artillery. 
Governor I. I. Stevens, 
Washington , D. C. 
