The ferrying operation continued across the North Platte River this June 16, 1847 near present day Casper, Wyoming. Meantime, the pioneers decided to build a larger and more permanent boat. One group went downstream to find cottonwood trunks for two canoes. Another group went upstream to make slabs for the ferry's deck.

Thomas Bullock:

"PRESIDENT YOUNG STRIPT HIMSELF AND WENT TO WORK WITH ALL HIS STRENGTH, ASSISTED BY...THE BRETHREN AND MADE A FIRST RATE WHITE PINE AND WHITE COTTONWOOD RAFT."

Brigham Young decided to leave ten men here to operate the ferry, the first commercial ferry business in the Rocky Mountains.