When James Lee founder of the Lee Line Steamers\u00a0was a young man, he rushed to rescue a trapped mate when a boiler burst and wrecked part of his boat.\u00a0 In the process of pulling the injured mate away from the boiler spewing hot water and steam, his legs were badly scalded.\u00a0\u00a0 Even though Capt. Jim was a tall talker with such tales as “I’ve been blowed up by steamboats in 21 states and several territories.\u00a0 On most occasions everybody on board perished except myself.\u00a0 Pieces of my skull is layin’ around loose all up and down the river.”\u00a0 In complete seriousness\u00a0 though, he intended to keep his 300 pounds together.\u00a0 Capt. Jim did\u00a0not permit wild races.\u00a0 No putting anvils on the safety valves of his boilers tying them down to get a bigger and bigger head of steam until everyone went to kingdom come.\u00a0 The Lee Line did engage in time trials in 1885 when the steamer JAMES LEE made a trial run against the KATE ADAMS for a mail contract.\u00a0 His newspaper ads since 1857 had been telling gospel truth when they styled him “one of the oldest and best … commanders of the Western Waters.\u00a0 When he was called “a sure guarantee of safety,” that was steamboat puffing. But his boat was as safe as any; far safer than some finer ones. (Memphis Down in Dixie)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When James Lee founder of the Lee Line Steamers\u00a0was a young man, he rushed to rescue a trapped mate when a boiler burst and wrecked part of his boat.\u00a0 In the process of pulling the injured mate away from the … Continue reading