"The wind continued violent until late in the evening, by which time we discovered that a greater part of the composition had separated from the skins, and left the seams of the boat exposed to the water, and she leaked in such a manner that she would not answer. I need not add that this circumstance mortified me not a little; and to prevent her leaking without pitch was impossible with us, and to obtain this article was equally impossible, therefore the evil was irreparable. …to make any further experiments in our present situation seemed to me madness. …the season was now advancing fast. I therefore relinquished all further hope of my favorite boat, and ordered her to be sunk n the water…as it could probably be of nor further service to us." –Capt. Lewis, 9 July 1805