🐾 Seaman: Lewis’ Loyal Newfoundland Dog

​

In 1803, Captain Meriwether Lewis purchased a large black Newfoundland dog for $20 and named him Seaman. A powerful swimmer and fierce protector, Seaman quickly earned his place alongside the Corps of Discovery—and in the hearts of the expedition members.
 

What’s in a Name?

For many years, the dog’s name was mistakenly believed to be Scannon. This confusion came from smudged ink in the expedition’s journals. As a result, generations of Newfoundland dog owners proudly named their pets Scannon in honor of the trail.

But in 1916, historian Donald Jackson made an important discovery. While researching Lewis and Clark place-names in Montana, he came across a tributary of the Blackfoot River labeled "Seaman’s Creek"—clearly named by Lewis. This helped confirm that the dog’s true name was Seaman.

 

From Lewis’Journals:

📖 April 22, 1805

"Walking on shore this evening I met with a buffaloe calf which attached itself to me and continued to follow close at my heels until I embarked and left it. It appeared allarmed at my dog..."

📖 May 29, 1805

"Last night we were all allarmed by a large buffaloe bull... my dog saved us by causing him to change his course."

📖 June 27, 1805

"A bear came within thirty yards of our camp last night... my dog seems to be in a constant state of alarm with these bears and keeps barking all night."
 

A Beloved Member of the Corps

Seaman wasn’t just along for the ride—he played a vital role during the journey:

• He alerted the crew to danger

•  He protected the camps at night

• He became a symbol of loyalty and courage

While the Corps of Discovery did, out of necessity, consume over 200 dogs during their journey, Seaman was spared and cherished. He became known affectionately among the crew as "Our Dog."
​​