Dennis Lyall (American, B. 1946) "Robert E. Lee Riverboat" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 32c Robert E. Lee Riverboat stamp issued August 22, 1996. Late in the morning of July 4, 1870, the Robert E. Lee landed in St. Louis. In only 3 days, 18 hours and 14 minutes, Captain John W. Cannon had powered his steamboat from New Orleans in a race against Captain Thomas Leathers' Natchez. Cannon's success can be partially attributed to his pre-race planning. Knowing that a lighter boat could travel faster, he ordered any unnecessary items for the trip to be removed. Even windows -- including those of the pilothouse -- doors and shutters were dismantled and left in New Orleans. These modifications made the Robert E. Lee a strange-looking steamboat when, carrying few passengers and very little cargo, it was cut loose from the shore at exactly 5:00 P.M. on June 30th, 1870. Instead of losing time docking for fuel, Cannon had another steamboat, the Frank Pargoud, waiting to meet the Robert E. Lee upriver. The two boats were tied together and continued to travel slowly against the current while fuel was loaded onto the Robert E. Lee. Although the Natchez had to stop for re-fueling, it was still very much in the race. When a dense fog settled on the river, Leathers stopped and waited for it to lift, assuming that Cannon would do the same. But, with the help of four pilots, Cannon continued progressing slowly, barely avoiding disaster several times. Fortunately for Cannon, the fog broke over the Robert E. Lee and he gained a considerable lead over Leathers, beating him to St. Louis by six and a half hours. Image Size: 14.5 x 12.5 in. Overall Size: 16.75 x 14.5 in. Unframed. (B15537)