The Great River of the West

Most of the river has changed way beyond what Captain Robert Gray
of the ship “Columbia Rediviva” saw when he sailed into the estuary
firming up the claims of the United States. Great Britain envisioned
having claims on the Northwest because of the explorations of Captain George Vancouver
and Alexander Mackenzie. Before all this Spain had a presence in the
northwest to fend off rivals including the Russians.
This was not just over territories it was also for native furs that in China were actually
worth their weight in gold in trade for silk, porcelain and spices.
The “China Trade” at it’s peak was absorbing 200,000 sea otter and beaver pelts per year.
A ship owner could trade glass beads, nails, and copper pots for fur then sail to China.
Owner captains could make a lifetime of wealth on one successful “Ship of Gold”
but at the same time sink into obscurity and ruin if it failed.
Now the “Great River” is a series of pools and locks that join the
Snake River for sea going ships and barges all the way to
The Port of Lewiston, Idaho.
The modern river though made out of certain necessities is beautiful,
I would have loved to have seen it while it really was
The Great River of the West