Lykes Transportation’s story is deeply rooted in American history, beginning with the entrepreneurial spirit of seven brothers and evolving from cattle shipping to commanding a global maritime empire. Originating in Texas and with early connections to Florida, the Lykes family built one of the largest privately-owned fleets in the United States, significantly impacting international trade and logistics. This is the story of how Lykes Transportation became a force in moving goods across the globe.
The Lykes brothers’ involvement in transportation can be traced back to the Civil War era. Howell T. Lykes served in the “Cow Cavalry,” a unit that supplied beef to Confederate soldiers. This experience in moving cattle across distances laid the groundwork for the family’s future ventures. Following the war, Howell T. Lykes capitalized on the booming cattle and citrus industries, utilizing ships to transport goods to Cuba, mirroring the earlier routes pioneered by James McKay. This early foray into shipping marked the nascent stages of what would become Lykes Transportation. Recognizing the potential, Lykes invested in steamships, eventually acquiring McKay’s Florida shipping operations, solidifying his commitment to maritime transport. The close of the Spanish-American War further propelled Lykes’ business as he supplied cattle to Cuba, where livestock populations had been devastated.
In 1900, two of Howell’s sons, Fred and H.T. Lykes, established Lykes Brothers cattle brokers in Cuba, while the family’s Florida cattle holdings were incorporated as Lykes Company. This dual operation highlighted the family’s expanding interests and the growing importance of transportation in their business model. Fred Lykes further developed the infrastructure by setting up a meatpacking plant in Cuba, and Lykes Brothers began acquiring Cuban ranches, solidifying their supply chain and control over the cattle trade which was heavily reliant on efficient transportation.
Lykes’ reach extended to Texas in 1903 when James McKay Lykes, another of the brothers, initiated cattle-buying trips to Galveston. By 1906, he had become a partner and opened a Galveston office. This strategic move was pivotal, establishing Galveston as a key hub for Lykes Transportation. The Galveston office facilitated the purchase of cattle and the chartering of ships to transport them to Cuba, with return voyages carrying sugar for Gulf Coast refineries. The establishment of this office, later serving as headquarters for Lykes Brothers Steamship Company, underscores Galveston’s significance in the Lykes transportation network. Their first chartered vessel, the Norwegian SS Eidsiva, began regular round trips between Galveston and Havana, initiating a consistent shipping service that was crucial for the burgeoning trade. Lykes Transportation expanded its sourcing, shipping cattle from Florida, Texas, and even further afield from Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Venezuela.
Consolidation and strategic partnerships marked the next phase. In 1907, Lykes joined forces with H. Mosle and Company to create the United Steamship Company, further strengthening their maritime operations. Joseph T. Lykes joined the business in 1909, adding further family expertise to the growing enterprise. The Cuban Lykes Brothers partnership evolved in 1910, becoming Lykes Brothers, Incorporated, a pivotal corporate restructuring that laid the foundation for the modern company and its comprehensive transportation services. By 1922, Lykes Brothers, Incorporated, shifted towards general cargo business between Gulf ports and the Caribbean, adapting to the changing market after the decline of the Cuban cattle market. They diversified their cargo, shipping cotton, flour, rice, lumber, and other commodities from western Gulf ports and returning with Caribbean sugar. This expansion was not limited to the Americas; Lykes soon established offices in major European cities, demonstrating their growing global reach in transportation and trade.
World War I provided another significant growth opportunity for Lykes Transportation. The company acted as an agent for the United States Shipping Board, chartering government-owned ships and operating on trade routes assigned by the board. This wartime experience was invaluable, and after the war, Lykes Brothers purchased war-built American ships, significantly expanding their fleet. Further growth came through acquisitions, including Daniel Ripley and Company, Tampa Interocean, and Lone Star Steamship Company in the 1920s. Re-incorporating in 1922 as a Louisiana corporation, with James Lykes as president, the company solidified its position. Steamship operations were headquartered in New Orleans, with corporate headquarters in Tampa and a New York office, reflecting the geographical spread of Lykes Transportation’s operations. During World War II, Lykes Steamship served as a general agent for the War Shipping Administration, managing a vast fleet of 125 government-owned and other vessels, playing a critical role in the war effort through maritime logistics and transportation.
James Lykes’ move to Houston in 1925 further cemented the Texas connection. While active in civic life, he also expanded the family’s Texas land holdings, leasing the Soledad Ranch and purchasing the vast O2 Ranch. These ranches, alongside their introduction of Brahman cattle to Florida, showcase the diverse agricultural interests that were intertwined with their transportation business. Lykes Brothers also returned to the citrus business in 1944 and expanded into processing with the purchase of Pasco Packing Company. By 1954, Lykes Brothers Steamship, boasting a fleet of 54 ships, was recognized as the largest US-flag cargo fleet under private ownership. They went public in 1958, reflecting their scale and success in the transportation industry.
While the company shifted away from meatpacking in Cuba and faced challenges with the Cuban revolution, Lykes Transportation continued to evolve. In 1969, Lykes Steamship formed a holding company and acquired Youngstown Sheet and Tube steel company, diversifying beyond purely maritime transport. Lykes Transport, a trucking company, emerged as a subsidiary in the 1980s, indicating a further expansion into land-based transportation and logistics. Lykes’ business interests were wide-ranging, encompassing real estate, logging, banking, oil and gas, and insurance, all likely supported and facilitated by their core transportation infrastructure and expertise. Lykes Steamship later became part of LTV Corporation in the 1970s but returned to the Lykes family fold after repurchase in 1983, demonstrating the enduring legacy and brand recognition of Lykes in the transportation sector. From its humble beginnings in cattle shipping to becoming a global force in maritime transport and beyond, Lykes Transportation’s history reflects a remarkable journey of adaptation, expansion, and enduring impact on global trade.
