Lewis Buys Seaman

Illustration of the city of Pittsburgh on a decorative plate. Steamship on the river in the foregrou

Senator John Heinz History Center

Quick Facts

Location:

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Significance:

Meriwether Lewis purchased his dog, Seaman, somewhere along the Ohio River, and Seaman traveled down the River with Lewis and crew. 

Designation:

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

MANAGED BY:

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Amenities

1 listed

Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

This map shows a range of features associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail spans a large portion of the North American continent, from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. The trail is comprised of the historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an auto tour route, high potential historic sites (shown in black), visitor centers (shown in orange), and pivotal places (shown in green). These features can be selected on the map to reveal additional information. Also shown is a base map displaying state boundaries, cities, rivers, and highways. The map conveys how a significant area of the North American continent was traversed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and indicates the many places where visitors can learn about their journey and experience the landscape through which they traveled.

Around the time he departed Pittsburgh in late August 1803, Meriwether Lewis recruited crew members.  

One of those new recruits may have been a dog. 

Lewis purchased a Newfoundland dog in September 1803 for $20 (roughly $500 in 2022 dollars). Why? 

Newfoundland dogs are known to be intelligent, hard-working, loyal, and well-tempered animals, as well as good hunters and swimmers. This meant Seaman could handle a mostly river-bound journey and help with hunting, all while being good-natured.

Seaman especially loved to chase squirrels in the river. Maybe he loved it even more because of how much his human liked eating them. Day after day on the Ohio River, Lewis saw squirrels swimming across the river—almost always from the north to the south shore, he observed. Most days, Seaman would hop in the river and chase after a few.

After he swam his heart out, Seaman would return to the boat, sopping wet. Maybe Lewis would have to help hoist him back onto the boat, or maybe he’d jump himself, heavy fur and all. He may have been proud to please his human with a squirrel offering, and perhaps excited to hop back again into the river and go chase some more.  

About this article: This article is part of a series called “Pivotal Places: Stories from the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.”