Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-12-01
THE JAMES LEE.
Grand Reception OF the Nobby Graft
at Memphis.
Description Of the Veterans New
and Beautiful Steamer.

burg, at which point she was con-
structed. As she hove in sight, the
tugs went up to tho Island, sounded
their whistles and escorted her to the
landing, while other steamers-the
Belle Memphis, 0uachita Belle, John
Overton, Transfer boat, Katie Hooper,
Marlin Speed and Hattie NowlanG-
rang their bells, and many friends
Of Captain Lee had assem-
bled on the roofs of the va
rious steamers to aid in giving
the new steamer a hearty welcome.
She steamed up majestically into
port and as she passed the Katie
Hooper and Marlin Speed, which lay
near the foot of Monroe street a salute
was fred from the Little Democrat
The bluff was crowded with people,
who were anxious to get a look at the
new steamer. She presented a beauti-
full appearance as she passed on down
to the foot of Beal street, rounded to
and steamed up to the wharfboat, and
when her lines was made fast there
was a grand rush Of all classes of peo-
pie to see the gorgeous cabins and
greet Captain James Lee, ST., and
Captain James Lee, ir. Captain james
Rees, j., the builder of the Lee, also
had many friends to give him a warm
reception.
The colored people, who are great
friends of Capt. James Lee, seemed as
much interested as did the merchants
and business men. They always pre-
ferred the Phil Allin and the Coaho-
ma, but they say now hat the James
Lee is the boss boat and they have
already christened her the Bob
Lees colt" The James Lee is n
Of the best packets ever constructed,
and is a credit to Pittsburg mechan-
ism. She is owned by Capt. James
Lee, Jr., and named after his father.
Capt. james Lee, who is now in
his seventy-irst year. The old man
is proud Of his namesake, and, though
looking thin, is as jolly as ever.
From a prominent and respected
steamboatman, Capt. James Browne,
we learn the following incident of the
veterans steamboat life: He built
the Old Hickory at Louisville and
brought her out in 1874, and on his
maiden trip the distinguished states
man, Henry Clay was a passenger on
her from that point down to some point
along the Kentucky shore. The Old
Hickoryran successfully for several
years, and was afterwards dismantled
and her hull vas sold to Capt. James
Browne, who used it at our wharf for
a Wharfboat. The new boat Cap.
tain Lee thinks will be fast, and he il
perfectly satisfied with her. She has
an easy and beautiful model
The hull is al feet long, "a
feet beam average depth of hold
0 feet II feet guards; height between
decks, 49, feet built by the Pittsbur,
Boat Building Company modelled b.
Messrs. James Dunbar and Isaa,
Hammitt; cabin 200 feet long, Is fee
wide, II feet high 10 lengths o
rooms in addition to Office and bar
ladies' rooms 9x10 feet 2 handsomel
fitted bridal chambers chamber set
in all the ladies' rooms; nursery i
rear, and laundry between decks; texal
IA feetlong; Freedman bureau capa
BILE Accommodating fifty passenger
Officers rooms, and halls forward, an
Captains room lG feet square. Pilot
house l6xl3 feet, aoor in same an
texas carpeted, with walnut aud ash
Stationary washstand in all the cabi
s~tate-rooms, and closet for hangin
clothes. Large and handsome pantr,
room and barber.shop, closets an
cook house aud pastry-room below
Hall floor laid with wood carpet OF
handsome design and finish, built b
Union Planning Mills. The boiler
arc steel, Al inches diameter, % fee
long, 6 aucs, chimneys 60 feet aboy
deck, ornamentod with heads, article
aud leaves, by Rees & Thorn Boiler
works. Engines POI inches, cyllnde
feet stroke. Water wheel % fec
diameter, bucket Is feet, and 2 lee
depth. Contractor, James Recs, ESQ.
! ofthc Duquesnc Engine. works. Bull
under the supervision ofCapt. Jane
Leo jr., Of Memphis. Draught o
light water at the stern % inches
a'n'dships 3 feet 8 inches. at skag
5 feet 3 inches.
go
Tho James Lee will leave tbi.