Author Archives: leelinesteamers

Thank you Mary Smith for sharing these 2 newspaper articles.  The HARRY LEE in this story is the first HARRY LEE which was a wood hulled steamer. HARRY LEE: Boat 2540 Way’s Packet Directory page 207. Stern Wheeler, Packet, wood … Continue reading →

This postcard is from my from my friend Ed Provine’s collection of steamboat postcards.   Way’s Packet Directory recorded the following on the HARRY LEE which was the last boat to enter the Lee Line fleet.  The cars in the … Continue reading →

https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2017/jul/28/love-in-the-bones/ Thank you Dan Conaway for this story of love for the James Lee House.  Jose and Jennifer and partners have indeed engaged in a labor of love to restore this grand old Memphis home and operate it as a … Continue reading →

Following the bankruptcy of the St. Louis New Orleans Anchor Line due to financial decline and massive damage caused to their boats by killer tornado’s that hit St. Louis May 26, 1896 the Lee Line expanded their business north to … Continue reading →

Both the Idlewild and Quick Step entered the Lee Line fleet after 1874.  Capt. James Lee Sr. had a knack for buying or chartering boats as family boats were lost or sent to repair yards following accidents.

St. Louis river front 1907 Theodore Roosevelt landed on the Lee Line wharf boat.  The top panorama was enhanced using PhotoShop to take out the folds in the original postcard.

Another recent find also purchased from an antique dealer who to the best of his recollection purchased it years ago at a garage or estate sale.  Originally this creamer was very thinly silver plated since the family knew that most of the … Continue reading →

This poster came from a family member by way of an antique dealer who purchased it years ago.  I am happy to return it to the family.

Ms. M.P. Thomas sent me this picture of the whistle from the KATE ADAMS with the following history and family remembrances of the KATE. My great grandfather, as I understand it, bought the salvage rights to the Kate Adams.  The … Continue reading →

This advertising postcard is another EBay find.  It was post marked April 16, 1910 at Memphis Tenn.  Unseen below the recipient Jno. St. Avit & Son is hand stamped  Cape Girardean Mo.  Of interest are the sentences We beg to … Continue reading →