In 1859 the final step, or very nearly so, was taken in reaching the real head of navigation. The record of this event is quite as definite as are those of the entrance of steamboats into the mouth of the Missouri in 1819 and the voyage of the _Yellowstone_ to Fort Union in 1832. In the spring of 1859 the American Fur Company sent up two boats with its annual outfit, its own boat, the _Spread Eagle_, and a chartered boat, the _Chippewa_. The _Chippewa_ was a light boat, and her owner, Captain Crabtree, contracted to take her to Fort Benton, or as far as it was possible to go. At Fort Union he defaulted in his contract and sold the boat to the Company for just about the charter price for the voyage. Such freight as the _Spread Eagle_ carried for Fort Benton was then transferred to the _Chippewa_, making a total cargo of 160 tons. Captain John La Barge,[34] brother of Joseph La Barge, and pilot of the _Spread Eagle_, was assigned to charge of the _Chippewa_ on her adventurous undertaking. Mr. Charles P. Chouteau went along as the Company’s representative. The boat made her way successfully, and without any notable incident, to within fifteen miles of Fort Benton, and discharged her freight at Brulé bottom, where Fort McKenzie stood in former years. Her arrival at this point was on July 17, 1859, forty years and two months after the _Independence_ entered the mouth of the river.[35] This noteworthy event must be classed as one of the celebrated feats in steamboat navigation. The _Chippewa_ had reached a point further from the sea by a continuous water course than any other boat had ever been. She was now 3560 miles from, and 2565 feet above, the ocean, and the whole distance had been made by steam on a river unimproved by artificial works. [Sidenote: HEAD OF NAVIGATION REACHED.] In 1860 the _Chippewa_ and the _Key West_ completed the short remaining distance to Fort Benton, and made fast to the bank in front of the old post July 2 of that year. On June 16, 1866, the steamer _Peter Balen_ ascended the river to the mouth of Belt Creek, six miles from the Great Falls, and thirty-one miles above Fort Benton. This is believed to be the farthest point reached by steam on the Missouri River.[36] The feat was accomplished during the June flood and would have been impossible at ordinary stages. Fort Benton has always been considered the head of navigation on the Missouri River. [Sidenote: LOSS OF THE “CHIPPEWA.”] [Sidenote: ALCOHOL AND CANDLES.]