Steamer Belle of Louisville in 1971

All images © 2008 by Robert E. Pence

Belle of Louisville was built as the Idlewild in 1914 at Pittsburgh by James Rees & Sons, pioneers in the use of steel hulls on North American river steamers. She was built for the West Memphis Packet Company and worked as a passenger ferry between Memphis and West Memphis.

I went along on a day cruise from Louisville to New Albany, Indiana and return in August, 1971.

Old Louisville Waterworks

Burned-out dredge

McAlpine Lock & Dam