In the mid-1800s, thousands of pioneers traveled westward by wagon train to follow their dreams of a better life. But they faced a significant challenge: how to get the wagons, horses, and families across the huge Mississippi River. Wagon trains were the only practical way to transport people, goods and animals, and they must have traversed the Mississippi. How did they do it?
Experts point to several methods which were used to cross the Mississippi. The simplest and most common technique was that of fording the river. A shallow part of the river near its bank was selected, and the wagons, animals and people were taken across one at a time. The skilled drivers could guide the wagons across, and this method was used until the waters became too deep. While fording the Mississippi was a relatively safe method, it was slow, and it wasn’t always possible to find a shallow enough section of the river.
The second method used to cross the Mississippi was ferrying the wagons across. Special rafts were built that could transport around twenty-five wagons at once, pulled by a team of oxen or horses across to the other side of the river. This was a much faster method than fording and was used more frequently as the pioneer population grew. The downside to ferrying was that it was expensive, and the cost of a single crossing could be exorbitant even for the wealthier emigrants.
The third and most difficult method of crossing the Mississippi was by means of a flatboat. The flatboats were around the size of a wagon and could be used to transport the wagons and teams over the river. This method was much less safe than the others and required a skilled boatman to navigate the dangerous waters. It was used mainly by larger wagon trains as it could carry larger loads, but it also had its drawbacks. One of which was that the wagons could not easily be disembarked once they reached the other side of the river.
Other methods used to get the wagon trains across the Mississippi included building bridges, hiring local barges, or catching the river current in canoes or other small boats. All of these methods had their advantages and disadvantages, and not everyone could use them. Wealthy pioneers could afford to hire the more expensive methods such as ferries and barges, while the less affluent had to be content with the more basic techniques of fording, flatboat, and bridge-building.
It is clear that any attempt to get a wagon train across the Mississippi was difficult even with the methods available. The river was thick with silt and mud, and its strong currents were enough to cause problems. The pioneers who made the trek westward were brave and determined, and they managed to find a way to get the wagons and teams across the great river. Their efforts were commendable, and their success opened up the west to the influx of settlers who followed in their footsteps.
The Mississippi’s Dangerous Waters
The Mississippi River was known for its swift and dangerous waters, and crossing it was no easy feat. The river had fast currents, which made the trip across even more difficult. High winds and storms could also make the trip dangerous, and some pioneers chose to road camp on either side of the river for days or weeks in order to wait out difficult weather. On their way across, the wagon trains would often run into log jams, which could block their progress and force them to take a different route.
In addition to the strong currents, the Mississippi was filled with sand bars and other obstructions, making it difficult to find a safe path across. The river was also home to all sorts of dangerous animals, including bears, whales, and alligators, which could give even the toughest pioneers a run for their money. The river itself was filled with debris, which could be a hazard to the emigrants and their wagons.
The dangers of the Mississippi River meant that it was important to find the right spot for fording, building a bridge, or hiring a ferry, and these factors had to be taken into account when planning the crossing. The location, size and shape of the river, as well as the type of wagon train and its size, all had to be considered when deciding which method to use to cross the Mississippi.
The Logistics Involved in Crossing the Mississippi
Crossing the Mississippi River was no small task, and the process involved careful planning and organization. The wagon master had to arrange for special supplies such as lumber and tar for bridge building, and for fording and ferries, he had to make arrangements for transportation and look for suitable locations. The wagon master also had to coordinate the wagons, animals, and teams in order to ensure the safe passage across the river.
Arriving at the shore of the Mississippi, the wagon master had to assess the situation, and organize the wagons into lines and set up camp according to the plan. He also had to gather all the teams for fording, or arrange for the animals to be taken across on boats for ferrying. Supervising the crossing was a big responsibility and required the skills of a competent wagon master in order to ensure that the wagons made it safely to the other side.
For some of the larger wagon trains, the wagon master would also have to hire help and purchase supplies. If they chose to build a bridge, they might hire local engineers or bridge-building experts to assist in the construction. If they chose to take the ferry, they had to find someone to operate it, and then hire the appropriate number of boats and flatboats. And if they decided to cross the river in canoes, they had to find experienced paddlers who were willing to risk their lives in the treacherous waters of the Mississippi.
Impacts of Crossing the Mississippi
The ability to cross the mighty Mississippi River was a major factor in determining the success of the early settlers in their journey west. Crossings presented the settlers with physical and psychological challenges, such as the fear of the unknown, language barriers with locals, and the challenge of navigating a river with strong currents. Those who dared make the attempt were willing to risk their lives in order to have a chance at a better future.
The success of the wagon trains in crossing the Mississippi was also a major factor in the opening up of the West. Once the pioneers were able to make the crossing, they were able to settle deeper in the continent and establish new cities, towns, and farms. This opened up trading routes and handled the flow of goods to areas east of the Mississippi. The crossing of the river was a major factor in the expansion of the United States.
Technological Advancements in Crossings
Eventually, technological developments enabled the crossing of the Mississippi to become easier and safer for those who attempted it. Steel bridges and mechanically operated ferries allowed more traffic to travel more quickly, and more easily, across the river. Specially designed steamboats were developed to help transport larger numbers of people at a time and also made crossing the river quicker and more reliable.
The first railroad bridge across the Mississippi was completed in 1856, and this made the westward movement of the settlers much easier and faster. Soon after, a suspension bridge was built at St. Louis, allowing the pioneers to make the crossing with more ease. This bridge was the longest bridge of its kind at the time, and a large number of emigrants used it to cross the river.
The final breakthrough came in 1869, when the first railroad bridge was built across the Mississippi. This allowed continuous rail traffic to cross the river and helped to open up the west even further. After this, the crossing of the Mississippi was much less of a challenge, with the river becoming more of a bridge than a barrier to the westward expansion of the United States.
Environmental Effects
The crossing of the Mississippi had a significant impact on the environment of the river itself. Many of the methods used to get the wagon trains across were incredibly destructive, and as the river was frequently used by steamboat traffic and shipping vessels, this put an enormous strain on the local ecosystem.
Pollution was a major issue, especially when the river was used by the larger flatboats and ferries. The navigation of the river was made more difficult due to the presence of debris, including logs, branches, and other waste. The noise of these boats was also disruptive to the wild animals which inhabited the river and its banks.
The shallower waters, which were used to ford the river, were often destroyed as a result of the repeated crossings. This had a detrimental effect on the local plants and animals that lived in the river, and it also made the crossing of the river more hazardous for the pioneers.
In addition, the constant flow of settlers and trading vessels also brought diseases such as cholera and typhoid, which caused epidemic outbreaks in the region. The presence of so many people also caused deforestation, hunting of wild game, and the depletion of local resources, all of which had a huge impact on the environment of the Mississippi River.
The Legacy of Wagon Train Crossings
Despite the difficulties and dangers associated with crossing the Mississippi, the brave pioneers who dared attempt the feat left a lasting legacy. Their tireless efforts in getting the wagon trains across the river helped to open up large parts of the continent to settlers and traders, and helped to create the America we know today.
Their resilience and strength of character in the face of danger, and their determination to find a way to reach their dreams are a testament to their courage. And the effects of their journey still linger, as the success of their crossing opened the way for countless others to follow, making the West what it is today.
You mention the danger of whales to pioneers crossing the Mississippi River. Do you have a source that says whales were in the river?