This seems like a simple enough question but I can't seem to find any answers for it. I know that on Lewis and Clark's journey that they went on the rivers, and I'm sure it rained during their trip so I'm wondering how they would keep their essential and easily damaged items like paper from getting wet since they didn't have materials like plastic. That goes with camping too, of course there were times in the old west where people would be out 'camping' for one reason or another, how did they keep from getting wet? I thought of this while playing Red Dead Redemption 2, it is just a game but I noticed that some of the tents look like a fabric of some sort which water could seep through, that prompted me to wonder how they actually did stop from getting wet back then.
Thanks in advance if anyone knows.
The Lewis & Clark expedition’s supply list is available here and includes “20 yds. Oil linnen [sic] for wrapping & securing Articles,” “10 yds do. do. Of thicker quality for covering and lining boxes. &c,” and, “40 yds Do. Do. To form two half faced Tents or Shelters.” Here the “do.” stands for “ditto” (“same”). Linen treated with linseed oil was a common waterproof cloth in use at the time (1804-1806; cotton duck treated with linseed oil was another option but was in wider use with mariners who obtained cotton from Egypt); leather could also be used to make waterproof hats, personal bags, and shoes, but was expensive and obviously the pieces are much more limited in size than the more affordable alternative of oil cloth.