Captain John W. Cannon
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Historical Marker #1756 in Hawesville (Hancock County) cites the birthplace of noted steamboat captain and builder John W. Cannon. Cannon captained steamboats on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers during much of the nineteenth century and became famous by guiding the "Robert E. Lee" to victory over the "Natchez" in a well-known 1870 steamboat race.
Cannon was seemingly born for the river. Born in 1820 near the Ohio River in Hawesville, Kentucky, Cannon's family had migrated from Maryland to Kentucky two years earlier. As a young man, Cannon traveled by boat to visit his brother Elijah, who was a city marshal in New Orleans. At his brother's prompting, Cannon returned home to receive an education, but his brief time spent on the river ignited a passion. After an abbreviated season of schooling, Cannon returned to New Orleans and found valuable experience on several steamboat trips up the Red River. Through his work as a pilot and steersmen on a number of different steamboats he was able to save several thousand dollars.
By 1848, Cannon accumulated enough money to build the "Louisiana" in Jeffersonville, Indiana, at the famous Howard's Shipyard. In November 1849, while at dock in New Orleans awaiting departure, the "Louisiana" suffered a boiler explosion that killed a great number of the passengers, crew, and bystanders. Cannon was not on board at the time of the explosion. Although the disaster placed Cannon in deep debt, benefactors who knew the captain's skills helped him get started again.
Before the Civil War, Cannon had the "Vicksburg" and the "Gen. Quitman" built for the Mississippi River cotton trade. During the war the Confederates confiscated the "Vicksburg" and turned it into a gunboat. Cannon took the "Gen. Quitman" up the Red River where it was docked until after the war. In 1866, Cannon had his most famous steamboat, the "Robert E. Lee" constructed in New Albany, Indiana. It was a virtual floating palace. In 1870, the "Robert E. Lee" engaged in a famous race from New Orleans to St. Louis with the "Natchez," which was captained by Thomas P. Leathers, also a Kentuckian. The "Robert E. Lee" won this race, which became world-famous by making the trip in just three days and eighteen hours. The "Natchez" came up short by six hours and thirty-six minutes.
Cannon went on to captain other successful steamboats, including one he named for himself. In 1882, Cannon suffered an attack of pneumonia. He died on April 18 at his home in Frankfort and was buried in the Frankfort Cemetery.
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Captain Cannon
This portrait shows famous steamboat captain John W. Cannon. Courtesy of the Kentucky Historical Society.
Cannon Home
John W. Cannon built this house on Ann Street in Frankfort. It was completed in 1866. The elaborate ironwork was a New Orleans influence. Photograph courtesy of Greg Hardison.
Steamboat Race
This Currier and Ives lithograph shows the great steamboat race from New Orleans to St. Louis between the Robert E. Lee and the Natchez in July 1870. The winning Robert E. Lee was captained by Kentuckian John W. Cannon. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Tool Chest
This tool chest was used by steamboat Captain John W. Cannon, owner of the famous Robert E. Lee. Courtesy of the Kentucky Historical Society.
Golden Antlers
These golden antlers were a prize for steamboats that set record times between locations. They were won by Captain John W. Cannon of the "Robert E. Lee" in 1870. Courtesy of the Kentucky Historical Society.
Riverside Hotel
Hotels like the Riverside in Louisville catered to luxury steamboat travelers that visited Ohio and Mississippi River towns and cities. Courtesy of the Kentucky Historical Society.
Robert E. Lee
Cannon's most famous steamboat was named for the Confederate general pictured here, Robert E. Lee. The steamboat was built in 1866, just one year after Lee's surrender to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox and the end of the Civil War. Courtesy of the Kentucky Historical Society.
Steamboat Kentucky
The steamboat Kentucky, shown here, was constructed in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Several southern Indiana towns such as Jeffersonville, Madison, and New Albany, where the Robert E. Lee was constructed, specialized in building steamboats. Courtesy of the Kentucky Historical Society.