Jessie Taylor
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 illnesses, injuries, and food shortages. There is some debate about whether the group resorted to eating candles during their journey. While there is no definitive evidence, it is known that they made candles from animal fat and beeswax, and that they ran out of food at times. Lewis' journal mentions dining on about 20 lbs. of candles, but it is unclear if this was intended as a food source or simply as a means of illumination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Did they eat candles? | It is unclear if Lewis and Clark ate candles, but they did run out of food while traveling through the Bitterroot Mountains. |
| Materials used to make candles | Elk, deer, and buffalo tallow, beeswax, and paraffin. |
| Process of making candles | Boil or render animal fat, add beeswax and/or paraffin, pour into molds, and let set. |
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What You'll Learn
Lewis and Clark's expedition ran out of food
The Lewis and Clark expedition, which began in 1804, is known to have encountered several difficulties. One of the most notable challenges they faced was a shortage of food while travelling through the Bitterroot Mountains, near the Rockies.
In his journal, Meriwether Lewis mentioned that the group dined on a scant portion of portable soup, some bear oil, and about 20 lbs of candles from their stock of provisions. It is unclear whether they ate the candles, but they did run out of food. The journal entry has sparked confusion about whether the expedition members consumed candle wax to survive.
The group made their own candles from animal fat, particularly elk, deer, and buffalo tallow, which was firmer and did not require the addition of paraffin. They also added beeswax to the tallow to make the candles burn better, although beeswax was scarce as it had to be sourced from trade ships.
On January 13, 1806, while wintering at Fort Clatsop, Lewis wrote that they had exhausted their last four candles but were able to make more using elk tallow and candle-making supplies they had brought along, including moulds and wicks. This demonstrates their resourcefulness in ensuring they did not go without this "necessary article."
The Lewis and Clark expedition's experience in the Bitterroot Mountains highlights the challenges faced by early explorers and their determination to survive in harsh conditions. While it is uncertain if they consumed candle wax, their ingenuity in candle-making and willingness to adapt to food shortages contributed to the success of their three-year journey.
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They dined on soup, oil, and 20 lbs of candles
The Lewis and Clark expedition, which began in 1804, was a gruelling trek across the western United States. The expedition members, led by Meriwether Lewis, with William Clark as his assistant, faced food shortages and had to make do with unusual meals. One such instance occurred when they ran out of food while travelling through the Bitterroot Mountains, near the Rockies.
In his journal, Lewis recorded that they "dined & suped 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 they ate candles to survive. While it is unclear if they actually consumed candle wax, it is certain that they had to resort to eating unusual foods and that they made their own candles.
The candles they made were crafted from animal fat, particularly elk, deer, and buffalo tallow, which was boiled or rendered to create the wicks. Beeswax was also added to the tallow to improve the burning quality of the candles. However, beeswax was not native to North America, so their supply was limited to what they could obtain through trade or from wrecked ships along the Pacific Northwest coast.
The process of making candles involved mixing the tallow with beeswax and bear oil, straining impurities, and adding paraffin to give the candles a firmer shape. They used tin candle moulds, with cotton string wicks centred in each tube, knotted at the bottom and tied off at the top with a stick. The tallow was poured into the moulds while still warm, and the candles were allowed to set for about an hour.
While it is uncertain if they ate candles during their journey, the Lewis and Clark expedition certainly faced challenges and had to be resourceful in their food sources and candle-making endeavours.
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They made candles from animal fat
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, illnesses, and injuries. One well-known incident involves the question of whether the explorers ate candles during their journey. While it is unclear if they resorted to eating candle wax, it is known that they made candles from animal fat.
Animal fat, particularly tallow, was a crucial resource for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Tallow is a rendered form of fat, typically from cattle, sheep, or other animals, and it was used for various purposes, including candle-making. The process of making tallow candles involved boiling or rendering the animal fat, straining impurities, and then pouring the melted tallow into moulds with wicks.
Meriwether Lewis, the leader of the expedition, made sure to include candle-making supplies, such as moulds and wicks, in their provisions. On January 13, 1806, while at Fort Clatsop, Lewis wrote in his journal that they had exhausted their last four candles but could make more using elk tallow and the supplies they had brought along. He noted that the elk they had killed had a very small portion of tallow.
The type of animal fat used in candle-making could vary. According to one source, the expedition used elk, deer, and buffalo tallow to make candles. Beef tallow was also mentioned as a potential source. Additionally, beeswax was sometimes added to the tallow to improve the burning quality of the candles. However, beeswax was not native to North America, so it had to be obtained through trade ships.
The process of making candles involved centering a cotton string wick in a tin candle mould and knotting it at the bottom, with a stick tied to the top. The tallow was boiled and then allowed to cool slightly before being poured into the moulds. The moulds were filled, and the tallow was left to set for about an hour. Once the tallow had shrunk and cracks appeared, the candles were ready to be removed from the moulds.
In conclusion, while it remains a mystery whether Lewis and Clark ate candles, their innovation in making candles from animal fat demonstrates their resilience and adaptability in the face of challenging circumstances during their historic expedition.
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They used candle moulds and wicks
There is some confusion about whether Lewis and Clark ate candles during their expedition. One journal entry from Lewis mentions that they "dined and supped" on a small amount of "portable soupe", some "bear's oil", and about 20 lbs of candles. However, it is unclear if they actually consumed the candles or simply used them for light.
What we do know is that they used candle moulds and wicks to make their own candles when their stock of beeswax candles ran out. On 13 January 1806, while wintering at Fort Clatsop, Lewis wrote in his journal that they had run out of candles but fortunately had "moulds and wick" with them. He also mentioned that they had some elk tallow, which they could use to make new candles.
The process of making these candles involved boiling or rendering animal fat, which came from elk, deer, and buffalo. This tallow was then mixed with beeswax, if available, to make the candles burn better. The mixture was poured into tin candle moulds with wicks made of cotton string centred in the middle. The wicks were knotted at the bottom of the mould and tied off at the top with a stick. The candles were allowed to set for about an hour before being removed from the moulds.
Today, the Fort Clatsop Historical Association sells tin candle moulds and wicking to visitors, allowing them to recreate the candle-making process used by Lewis and Clark over 200 years ago.
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They boiled or rendered the animal fat
The Lewis and Clark expedition, which began in 1804, was a treacherous and brutal trek across the western United States. The expedition members, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, faced food shortages and had to make do with unconventional food sources. While it is unclear if they resorted to eating candles, journal entries provide insights into their candle-making process, which involved boiling or rendering animal fat.
The process of rendering animal fat involves heating it to a high temperature, typically around 200°F (93°C), and then allowing it to cool slowly. This process causes the fat to separate into layers, with the tallow rising to the top as it has a lower melting point. Once cooled, the tallow could be skimmed off the surface, leaving any impurities behind.
To enhance the quality of their candles, the expedition members added beeswax to the tallow when it was available. Beeswax improved the burning properties of the candles and extended their duration. However, beeswax was not native to North America, so they relied on trade ships from the east or the Pacific Northwest coast for this valuable resource.
The Lewis and Clark expedition's experience demonstrates the resilience and ingenuity of early explorers. By boiling or rendering animal fat, they could create a vital source of light and, possibly, emergency sustenance in the harsh conditions they faced during their journey.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear whether Lewis and Clark actually ate candles. However, they did run out of food at one point during their expedition and Lewis' journal mentions that they "dined & suped on ... about 20 lbs. of candles".
Lewis and Clark made candles from animal fat, particularly elk, deer, and buffalo tallow. They also added beeswax to the tallow to make the candles burn better.
Yes, they did. Lewis and Clark brought candle moulds and wicks with them on their expedition and made their own candles when they ran out.
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