Author Archives: leelinesteamers

The original picture was taken from a glass negative and colorized by my friend Josh Gamble Photo Shop maestro.  The first REES LEE was completed 1899 at Howard Shipyard Jeffersonville Ind., she sank and was lost at Tiptonville Tenn. June … Continue reading →

The BOB LEE Jr was built on the levee by the Southern Tank & Boiler Works.  She was 145 ft long x 32 ft wide. A fire destroyed her upper works in Aug. 1913.  She was sold to Standard Oil … Continue reading →

  This history of the FERD HAROLD was complied by Capt. William Tippitt as part of his history of the Lee Line and is found at the end his 1920 report.  The FERD was operated along with the GEORGIA LEE … Continue reading →

My grandfather S. Rees Lee woke his father James Lee Jr. with the news that several Lee Line boats were burning.  Great grandfathers response was “there is nothing I can do about that” and rolled over and went back to … Continue reading →

The JAMES LEE had survived two previous fire episodes one while undergoing repairs to her pilot house while tied up at the Memphis river front, the other when a near by steamer caught fire.   Capt. James Lee Sr. who … Continue reading →

  To view the text, click on the image and you should be able to scroll up the image to read this old account of the sinking March 1, 1899 of the BUTTORFF.  Way’s Packet Directory recorded this steamer entering … Continue reading →

The H W BUTTORFF is the steamer in the foreground.  The BUTTORFF entered the Lee Line fleet January 1911 and was renamed the JOHN LEE.  Evidently, this picture was taken prior to 1911.  This postcard is another EBay purchase in … Continue reading →

This picture from the interior of the Bohlen-Huse Ice  Co. facility on Court Ave. was taken following the great Ohio and Mississippi River flood April 1913.  Other pictures show ice plant equipment disassembled for cleaning and maintainance.   James Lee … Continue reading →

With numerous boats competing for freight, the Lee Line was at various times in fierce competition for business.  Capt. Tippitt’s History of the Lee Line reported the following news report from January 1890.  Jan. 1, “Yesterday coming up from Polk … Continue reading →