May 8,2011: Tom Lee Park

Big Sarge · 05-07-2011, 11:38 PM

Tom Lee Park is in Memphis, TN. It commemorates the rescue of 32 people from a capsized steamboat. The monuments dedicated to the rescue are now awash in the flooded Mississippi River. The river claimed the steamboat and 23 lives in 1925. Has it returned to claim the rest?

The park is named after area resident Tom Lee (1885–1952). Late during the afternoon of May 8, 1925, Lee steered his 28 ft (8.5 m) skiff Zev upriver after delivering an official to Helena, Arkansas. Also on the river was a steamboat, the M.E. Norman, carrying members of the Engineers Club of Memphis, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and their families. One man rescues 32 livesTom Lee witnessed the M.E. Norman capsize in the swift current 15 mi (24 km) downriver from Memphis at Cow Island Bend. Although he could not swim, he rescued 32 people with five trips to shore. Lee acted quickly, calmly and with no regard for his own safety, continuing to search after night fell. Because of his efforts, only 23 people died.

Gravdigr · 05-08-2011, 02:03 AM

More people rescued than died...that one goes in the plus column.

wolf · 05-08-2011, 09:41 AM

Unusual but striking memorial, and a good story.

All Mary Ambler got was a town named after her ...

Griff · 05-08-2011, 09:49 AM

It makes me think about all the descendents of all the people he saved. He changed history.

morethanpretty · 05-09-2011, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Griff

It makes me think about all the descendents of all the people he saved. He changed history.

So have you, by your mere existence. I'll tell you in the future whether thats good or bad.

Very interesting statue, I like the story behind it.

xoxoxoBruce · 05-14-2011, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morethanpretty

So have you, by your mere existence. I'll tell you in the future whether thats good or bad.

Don't have to wait, in Griff's case, definitely good.

Griff · 05-14-2011, 08:52 AM

Thanks!

Sundae · 05-08-2011, 11:00 AM

Excellent IoTD. Thanks Sarge.
Food for thought.

ZenGum · 05-09-2011, 03:08 AM

Didn't Tom Lee Park play centre-forward for South Korea in the soccer world cup?

Griff · 05-09-2011, 05:41 AM

I'm pretty sure his name was Park.

05-07-2011, 11:38 PM	#1
Big Sarge Werepandas - lurking in your shadows Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: In the Deep South Posts: 3,408	May 8,2011: Tom Lee Park Tom Lee Park is in Memphis, TN. It commemorates the rescue of 32 people from a capsized steamboat. The monuments dedicated to the rescue are now awash in the flooded Mississippi River. The river claimed the steamboat and 23 lives in 1925. Has it returned to claim the rest? The park is named after area resident Tom Lee (1885–1952). Late during the afternoon of May 8, 1925, Lee steered his 28 ft (8.5 m) skiff Zev upriver after delivering an official to Helena, Arkansas. Also on the river was a steamboat, the M.E. Norman, carrying members of the Engineers Club of Memphis, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and their families. One man rescues 32 livesTom Lee witnessed the M.E. Norman capsize in the swift current 15 mi (24 km) downriver from Memphis at Cow Island Bend. Although he could not swim, he rescued 32 people with five trips to shore. Lee acted quickly, calmly and with no regard for his own safety, continuing to search after night fell. Because of his efforts, only 23 people died. __________________ Give a man a match, & he'll be warm for 20 seconds. But toss that man a white phosphorus grenade and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

05-08-2011, 02:03 AM	#2
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	More people rescued than died...that one goes in the plus column. __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

05-08-2011, 09:41 AM	#3
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	Unusual but striking memorial, and a good story. All Mary Ambler got was a town named after her ... __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

05-08-2011, 09:49 AM	#4
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	It makes me think about all the descendents of all the people he saved. He changed history. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

05-14-2011, 08:52 AM	#7
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Thanks! __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

05-08-2011, 11:00 AM	#8
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Excellent IoTD. Thanks Sarge. Food for thought. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

05-09-2011, 03:08 AM	#9
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	Didn't Tom Lee Park play centre-forward for South Korea in the soccer world cup? __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

05-09-2011, 05:41 AM	#10
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	I'm pretty sure his name was Park. __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

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