Chloe Adams
The Lewis and Clark expedition, which began in 1804, was a brutal trek across the western United States. The men of the Corps of Discovery encountered various challenges, including illnesses, injuries, and food shortages. There is some debate about whether they ate candles during their journey. While it is known that they made candles from animal fat, such as elk, deer, and buffalo tallow, and even had to make their own candles when their stock of beeswax candles ran out, it is unclear if they resorted to eating the candles themselves. One journal entry by Lewis mentions dining on about 20 lbs. of candles during a food shortage, but it is not explicit if the candles were consumed as food or simply used for light and warmth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lewis and Clark Expedition food shortage | They ran out of food while traveling through the Bitterroot Mountains near the Rockies |
| Food shortage solution | They considered eating candles, but it is unclear if they did |
| Candle composition | Animal fat (beef) tallow, paraffin, and beeswax |
| Candle-making process | Boiling or rendering animal fat, adding paraffin for shape, using candle molds and wicks |
| Location of candle-making | Fort Clatsop |
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What You'll Learn
Lewis and Clark's expedition food shortage
The Lewis and Clark expedition, which began in 1804, was a brutal trek across the western United States. The expedition faced food shortages, particularly when travelling through the Bitterroot Mountains near the Rockies. In his journal, Lewis noted that the group had "dined and supped on a skant proportion of portable soupe, a few canesters of which, a little bears oil and about 20 lbs. of candles form our stock of provision". This has led to speculation about whether the group ate candles to survive.
It is unclear whether the group ever resorted to eating candle wax, but it is known that they made their own candles. The men of the expedition made candles from animal fat, including beef tallow and elk, deer, and buffalo tallow. They also added beeswax to the tallow to help the candles burn better. Beeswax was sourced from trade ships, as honey bees were not native to North America.
In a journal entry dated January 13, 1806, Lewis wrote that the group had exhausted their last four candles while wintering at Fort Clatsop. However, they had brought candle-making supplies, including moulds, wicks, and elk tallow, so they were able to make more.
The process of making candles involved boiling or rendering animal fat and mixing it with beeswax if available. The fat was then strained to remove impurities, and paraffin was added to help the candles hold their shape. The mixture was poured into wicked moulds and allowed to set.
While it is uncertain whether Lewis and Clark ate candles, their expedition faced food shortages and they did consume unusual meats. The group also dealt with illnesses, injuries, and sexual transmitted diseases contracted from Native women in the area.
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The use of elk, deer, and buffalo tallow
The Lewis and Clark expedition, which began in 1804, is known for its exploration of the western United States. The expedition faced numerous challenges, including food shortages and illnesses. One well-known incident suggests that the explorers may have even resorted to eating candles during a particularly difficult period in the Rockies.
While there is no definitive proof that they ate candles, it is clear that they used elk, deer, and buffalo tallow to make candles. This is evident from Meriwether Lewis' journal entry on January 13, 1806, where he mentions the use of elk tallow for candle-making: "...by means of which and some Elk's tallow in our possession we do not yet consider ourselves destitute of this necessary article; the Elk we have killed have a very small portion of tallow."
The process of making candles from tallow involved boiling or rendering animal fat. To create a wick for the candle, a length of cotton string is centred in a tin candle mold, knotted at the bottom, and tied off at the top with a stick. Lewis and Clark also added beeswax to the tallow to improve the burning quality of their candles. Beeswax was sourced from trade ships, as honey bees were not native to North America.
The elk, deer, and buffalo tallow used by the expedition was naturally firmer and did not require the addition of paraffin, which was typically added to tallow to help the candles hold their shape. The tallow was poured into wicked molds, and the molds were filled partially to account for tallow absorption and shrinkage during cooling. The candles were then allowed to set for approximately one hour.
The knowledge and skills of Lewis and Clark in candle-making, along with their resourcefulness in utilising elk, deer, and buffalo tallow, ensured they had access to a necessary source of light during their challenging journey.
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Beeswax and its multiple uses
Beeswax is a waxy substance produced by young honey bees, which they use to create the iconic honeycomb pattern. It has a relatively low melting point, is malleable, chemically soluble, water-insoluble, edible, and flammable. These properties make beeswax useful for a wide range of applications.
Beeswax has been used for thousands of years, with one of its earliest identified uses being in a 6500+-year-old European tooth cavity filling. Ancient Egyptians used beeswax in embalming and as candles, which were later adopted by the Romans and early Christians. Beeswax candles burn cleaner, brighter, and longer than paraffin candles, and do not bend.
Today, beeswax is still used in candles, as well as in cosmetics, healthcare, and home care products. In cosmetics, beeswax is used as a stiffening and thickening agent, as well as a fragrance in soaps and perfumes. It is also used in skincare products due to its anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to soothe irritated skin and promote skin and hair hydration. Additionally, beeswax is used in pharmaceutical-grade products, such as surgical bone wax, to control bleeding during surgery.
Beeswax is also useful in the home. It can be used as a sealant to fill cracks and waterproof surfaces. It can also be used to make ornaments and candles at home.
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Making candles from animal fat
There is some confusion about whether Lewis and Clark ate candles during their expedition. However, it is known that they made candles from animal fat, specifically tallow from elk, deer, and buffalo.
Animal fat, or tallow, has been used to make candles for thousands of years. You can use fat from almost any animal, including cows, sheep, and pigs. You can obtain animal fat from your local butcher, or you can render it yourself at home.
To render animal fat, you will need to melt it in a double boiler or a DIY alternative. Place your fat in an oven-safe bowl over a pot of boiling water, stirring occasionally until it is fully melted. You can add beeswax to your melted tallow to improve the burning quality of your candles. For dipped candles, use three parts tallow to one part beeswax.
Once your wax mixture has cooled slightly, you can start dipping your wicks. Cotton wicks are preferable, and you can use a pair of tongs to dip each wick into the wax mixture, turning them slowly to ensure they are evenly coated.
If you are using a mould, prepare your wick by dropping a length of cotton string into each tube, ensuring that the wicks are centred. Knot the wicks at the bottom of the mould and tie them off at the top with a stick. Carefully pour your warm tallow into the moulds, filling them and partially filling the flat reservoir at the top. The tallow in the reservoir will shrink as it cools, and the wicks will absorb some of it. After about an hour, your candles should be ready to remove from the moulds.
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The starvation that led to the consideration of eating candle wax
The Lewis and Clark expedition, which began in 1804, was a brutal trek across the western United States. The men of the Corps of Discovery endured a variety of hardships, including illnesses, injuries, and food shortages. One of the most challenging moments occurred when they ran out of food while travelling through the Bitterroot Mountains, near the Rockies.
In his journal, Meriwether Lewis recorded that they "dined and supped on a skant proportion of portable soupe [sic], a few canesters of which, a little bears oil and about 20 lbs. of candles form our stock of provision". This entry has led to confusion about whether the expedition members ate candles to survive. While it is unclear if they actually resorted to eating candle wax, the fact that they considered it as part of their "stock of provision" indicates that they were desperate and starving.
The men of the expedition made their own candles from animal fat, specifically beef tallow, and sometimes added beeswax to improve burning. They carried candle moulds and wicks with them and boiled or rendered the animal fat to create the candles. This was a necessary skill they learned as they travelled through the wilderness, facing food scarcity and harsh conditions.
The consideration of eating candle wax highlights the extreme starvation and resourcefulness of the Lewis and Clark expedition members. They had to adapt and innovate to survive, and their experiences provide valuable insights into the challenges of early exploration in the western United States.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear whether Lewis and Clark actually ate candles. However, they did run out of food while travelling through the Bitterroot Mountains and there is mention in Lewis' journal of dining on "about 20 lbs. of candles".
The candles were made from animal fat, particularly elk, deer, and buffalo tallow. Beeswax was added if it was available, as it helped the candles burn better.
Yes, they did. Lewis and Clark brought candle moulds and wicks with them on the expedition. They also made candles from the tallow of elk they had killed.
The expedition members ate unusual meats and, according to one journal entry, "a skant proportion of portable soupe, a little bears oil".
