USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -On November 15, 1805, Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Volunteers for Northwestern Discovery reach the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia River, one year, six months, and one day after leaving St. Louis, Missouri, in search of the legendary “Northwest Passage” to the sea.

Detailed explanation-2: -The route of Lewis and Clark’s expedition took them up the Missouri River to its headwaters, then on to the Pacific Ocean via the Columbia River, and it may have been influenced by the purported transcontinental journey of Moncacht-Apé by the same route about a century before.

Detailed explanation-3: -After reaching the Pacific Ocean in November 1805, the corps established Fort Clatsop, near present-day Astoria, Oregon, as its winter quarters. Then, on March 23, 1806, the weary explorers headed for home and St. Louis.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Corps hunted for food, mapped the Columbia River and explored the area, including Cape Disappointment. Lewis made a solo trip, then Captain Clark took a group to survey the coast, and camped near McKenzie Head. There for the first time, the Corps saw an immense blue ocean, the Pacific.