The Great Race Revived

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By Tim Rubacky, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Development

Steamboats were big. They were majestic. They were opulent. And, by the standards of the day, they were also fast. In a world before railroads, they were among the fastest forms of transport on the planet. And even after the advent of the Iron Horse and its tracks criss-crossing the landscape in the latter half of the 19th century, steamboat speed was still important. In fact, it was so important that steamboat racing became part of American tradition. Watching the American Queen paddling her way through a USA river cruise at a sedate 8 miles an hour, it might be hard to imagine how important speed was to a steamboat, but no mistake about it, speed was critical.

Speed meant that a boat would get to its destination first and that meant that its cargo could be sold at a premium price. The first bale of cotton in port earned more money than the 3,000th bale of cotton arriving a day later on the fourth boat. A boat with a reputation for speed simply earned more money that those regarded as slow-pokes. And how did a boat earn a reputation for speed? By racing other boats and winning, of course!

Let's face it, no one was going to take the word of the captain of a boat (who was often the owner) that his boast was the fastest on the river. The proof was in the pudding and that pudding was a good, old-fashioned steamboat race.

There were many races, some well-known and formal, some informal and spontaneous when two boats found themselves in the same spot on the same river headed for the same destination. But of all the formal races, none was more famous, received more publicity, captured the river community’s fascination or has endured as long as the famed 1870 race between the Robert E. Lee and the Natchez from New Orleans to St. Louis.

As one might expect, a lot of pride (and ego) was involved in steamboat racing. Captain Thomas P. Leathers was known for both and his boat, the Natchez, was regarded as one of the fastest on the Mississippi. Leathers liked to race his boat and usually won, but his tactics were sometimes questionable and he was known for showy maneuvers and cutting off his opponents.

A gentleman by the name of Captain John W. Cannon took umbrage to the Natchez’s reputation. His boat, the Robert E. Lee, was also known for speed, despite being a few years older than Leathers’ boat. After much back and forth and bold claims, it was decided that the matter would be settle with a formal race. The race captured the imagination of the general public, with newspapers across the country calling it the “Race of the Century.” Gamblers as far away as Europe placed bets on the outcome.

Leathers prepared his boat for a normal, albeit swift voyage. On the other hand, Cannon stripped the Lee of its furniture, chandeliers and took on few passengers. He figured the lighter the boat, the faster. The boats left New Orleans at 5:00pm on June 30, 1870 and the Lee immediately jumped out to a four-minute lead. By Baton Rouge, the edge was six minutes. By Helena, Arkansas, the lead was 55 mintues. The Natchez was still making her regular stops while the Lee was plowing ahead, even replenishing its fuel supply while underway and lashed to another boat. The Natchez was an hour behind the Lee by the time Memphis was sighted on the horizon.

In Cairo, Illinois just south of St. Louis, things became considerably more exciting. After discharging her passengers (supposedly with a bottle of whiskey to celebrate the Lee's upcoming victory), the Lee got stuck on a sandbar. Fortuitously for the Lee, a thick fog rolled in and the Natchez decided to tie up and wait for the weather to clear. On the other hand, the Lee inched her way off the sandbar and proceeded at a crawl through the thick fog.

At 10am on July 4, 1870, the Robert E. Lee steamed her way into St. Louis as the fog lifted. Thousands of people stood on the banks of the river cheering and, six hours and thirty-six minutes later, did the same for the Natchez. It was a race for the ages but never really settled the controversy over which was the fastest boat thanks to the fog that impacted the last portion of the race.

Sound exciting? It most certainly was. In the modern era, the legendary Delta Queen Steamboat Co. used to keep the tradition of steamboat racing alive by racing the Delta Queen, now a hotel in Chattanooga, against the Belle of Louisville along the Ohio River just a few days before the famed Kentucky Derby. With cheering passengers and spectators, the afternoon race harked back to the days of the “Race of the Century.”

As you’ve probably guessed by now, here at the Great American Steamboat Company, we’re big fans of honoring the past (while offering a vacation that appeals to today’s traveler, of course). That’s why the American Queen is going to pick up where the Delta Queen left off a few years ago and we’re going to be racing the Belle of Louisville during a special voyage from Memphis to Cincinnati just before the Kentucky Derby. Even better, the race takes places during a special vacation which combines the 7-night cruise with a free 2-night hotel stay in Memphis before the American Queen departs. Guests will be able to join us for the American Queen’s special christening ceremony in Memphis, a celebratory shoreside dinner at Charles Vergo’s world-famous Rendezvous restaurant, a special Gala Ball, receive an inaugural keepsake gift and meet the Great American Steamboat Company’s senior executives. A few days later, all guests will be standing ondeck cheering as we whip the pants off the Belle of Louisville in honor of the immortal Delta Queen!

The voyage should be every bit as exciting as the 1870 race between the Natchez and Robert E. Lee. I know I can’t wait and I’m hoping you’ll join me on April 27, 2012 for a cruise you’ll never forget.