Recently I obtained some photos relevant to the material of these diaries. It was a bit of a late delivery but at least they got here. Nevertheless, I came up with an idea that might be a win-win situation for everyone: posting a makeshift powerpoint slide show that captures the highlights of scenery from Green River, Wyoming to the Grand Wash Cliffs. Naturally, all of the pictures or drawings were taken on the 1871-72 excursion, because the major did not think to take along a camera on the first run down the rivers or else it was a forgotten item. One can also say he likely relied on map-making of the canyon country he and his men explored. Then again, some historians claim he always had in mind at least two explorations. Take that thought like the proverbial grain of salt. What matters most is the written account (which later gets straightened out by Frederick Dellenbaugh's epic tomes he wrote after the 1871 longer expedition). Of course, on the second expedition he had at least two talented camera men to rely on, O. E. Beaman and J. K. Hillers. In the upcoming slide show it is Beaman's works that take the lion's share of the show. Then again, he also took most of the photographs.
In this supplemental diary I will be sparing on commentary and mention only the captions of each photo in the lineup. Hope you enjoy the show and I hope you enjoyed reading the diaries. The photographs are also arranged chronologically, that is, depicting the scenery from Green River (Station), Wyoming), to successive canyons leading all the way to the Grand Wash Cliffs, the official terminus of the first expedition, though Kanab Creek (around mile 171) was the terminus for the second expedition).
(Continues after the fold.)
Where it all began:
Typical landmark scenery in this vicinity of the Wyoming Territory where the Overland Route (First Transcontinental Railroad Crossing) was established:
A modest monument marks the very spot:
Could this possibly be a photo of the first expedition crew? The caption on the pictures says so. What do you think?
(Nope, it's not. Notice the thingy on the rear of the Whitehall boat? Remember what the crew of the second expedition had going for them which the first crew did not? A tiller oar! That's how you can tell what boat design was added, as well as the major's high chair lashed to the deck.)
The boats on shore:
The skeleton frame of a Whitehall hauler craft:
The original and clumsy-looking Emma Dean (sans high chair, because it was an added design only used on the second expedition):
Like the Emma Dean 2, let's call her, and looking more like a boat should (because it's in the water):
Here's a rather silly display of the major seated on the deck of the Emma Dean (2). I mean, what fool would dress like this when on the river, and what even bigger fool would have selected this apparel and boots for the major?
A modern day Whitehall model (without the compartments and separate cockpits):
The first canyon was Flaming Gorge (now a yawning, deep reservoir):
Like so. . .
The next canyon was Horseshoe:
Red Canyon followed:
Red Canyon Park:
Lodore Canyon, where things literally started going south for the men (especially for Frank Goodman):
A respite from the gnarly water was always welcomed:
Then came another cataracts, this time aptly named––Disaster Falls:
Not too long after that, the wind-blown conflagration at camp (here depicted by a painting):
After a series of major falls to run in adjoining canyons Split Mountain (today's Echo Park) was a welcomed change of pace and scenery (with fewer rapids to test the men and their overloaded craft, including seriously water-logged):
Split Mountain:
Desolation Canyon:
Labyrinth Canyon:
Stillwater Canyon:
The fortuitous long john underwear incident where Bradley saved the major:
The Graveyard of the Colorado––Cataract Canyon:
Another photo of the 'graveyard':
The Fremont River alias "Dirty Devil" erroneously named by the major:
The most pristine canyon of them all (with its welcomed calm, flat water), Glen Canyon:
Mound Canyon, which Major Powell later dubbed Glen Canyon:
Another view of the Glen as aficionados once called the canyon (before that damn dam was built):
Lee's Ferry (that was established long after the Powell expeditions) and was the only river crossing for hundreds of miles:
Below the crossing was the gateway to the Great Unknown. . .Marble Canyon:
Another view of Marble Canyon:
The canyon of the Little Colorado (junction), at mile-60:
The Great Unknown:
An overview of the Grand Canyon (obviously something only the second expedition crew got to map and see):
Another overview:
From Toroweap on the North Rim, where the walls of both rims come within 1/2 mile and the straight-down view to the Colorado is around 3,000 feet:
Like so. . .
This canyon had more treacherous rapids than all the others combined. This famous sketch of one of them, Sockdologer (a Swedish word loosely translated as "Knock-down punch") was one of the main stretches that tested the men:
In the long gauntlet of rapids thrown down in this canyon, here is an eye-level view of a monstrous rapid Powell's men were forced to deal with throughout any given day:
Here's another:
At the foot of a whitewater stretch (possibly, Bass rapid):
The infamous Separation Rapid at mile 239.5:
A depiction of capsizing (somewhat common for these men), also called a muddy river baptism:
A rather graphic painting (by Dellenbaugh) of what it feels like to run a rapid in a Whitehall:
Since Dellenbaugh is responsible for getting Major Powell to finally admit to readers there really was a second expedition, and with a new crew on its much longer excursion, it is only fitting to post this rare photograph depicting most of the men who faithfully served under the major in 1871 and '72:
Frederick Dellenbaugh, 1872 portrait:
The Grand Wash Cliffs (which the 1869 expedition reached on August 29), at least the six who survived the peril:
But it was Kanab Creek, at mile 171, where the crew of the second expedition finished their year-long assignment:
So ends this canyon-river tour told by historic photographs.
Postscript:
Powell to Paiute Indian: I say down there. . .was this picture show to your liking?
Paiute Indian: Only if you apologize for blaming us for what happened to your three missing men!
Rich: I say Amen and A-women to that, sir!
Of course, this mystery remains what it is. Given what these diaries have shared, what do you think happened to the Howlands' and Bill Dunn?
Meanwhile, and regardless what we think of the man's character, this hero of the Civil War had accomplished what he set out to do. Doubtless no other under his command could have matched his prowess and steadfast intent to do the nearly impossible. To this end, I dedicate this diary series to Major John Wesley Powell but also to the brave men who served under his somewhat autocratic command. . .including the Howlands and Dunn.
As always, your thoughtful commentaries are welcomed.
Rich
http://www.nmstarg.com/...
http://www.grandcanyon.org/...
Thu Mar 07, 2013 at 5:00 PM PT: P. S. Forgot this important proviso. . .as follows:
Note: Under the "Fair Use" protocol, which is a limitation and exception to the exclusive right granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work, photographs, pictures and illustrations, including maps (that are not my own personal property), posted in my diaries provide for the legal, unlicensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in use of another author's work under a four-factor balancing test. Ergo, the diary posts are strictly for an educational purpose and are transformative (using an image in a broader story or educational presentation with text). In short, my diaries are promoting an educational presentation intended only to help Daily Kos community members learn more about the many topics my diaries feature.