Robert E. Lee
10"x 18" 350 in edition

The famous race between Robt. E. Lee and Natchez began on June 30, 1870, at 5:00 P.M. U.S. inspectors clamped lead seals on the safety valves of both boats to discourage tampering. A cannon was fired from the forecastle of the Robt. E. Lee at 1 3/4 minutes before 5, and at two minutes past 5 a cannon shot from the Natchez announced her departure. So they did not get off to an even start, the Lee ahead; a lead she maintained and increased. At no time were the boats side by side, contrary to Currier and Ive's art. During the race a leak was discovered in one of the boilers of the Lee. It got so bad it began dousing the fires, and worse, was putting such a burden on the doctor valve that the water could hardly be supplied fast enough to hold gauge levels. This problem was soon taken care of by introducing fine bits of hemp packing into the cold water suction valves of the doctor, thus stopping the leaking. Another performance was hotly debated after the race, claims being made that the Lee was assisted up the river by tugs supplying coal to her while under way. After being hampered by fog, the Lee managed to break through and go on to set the all-time record for a commercial steamboat of three days, eighteen hours and fourteen minutes from New Orleans to St. Louis. The Natchez limped in later that evening.

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