The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1955-02-04
it was coal.

1900, it was coal.
Today the bulk fuel transpor-
tation problem is met by con-
stantly increasing the size of the
tankerS.
In 1900, coal was handled al
most exclusively by sailing ships
and the operators of the schoon-
ers were not anxious to yield this
profitable trade to steam.
Consequently, schooners grew
larger. Between 1900 and 1902
at least four siX-masters were
built on the Atlantic coast, all
for the coal trade. But siX-maSted
schooners posed a tough con-
struction problem in New Eng
land because Maine yards were
hard-pressed for long lengths of
timber needed for such ships.
The Coastwise Transportation
Company of Boston, big coal car
riers in sail, turned to steel.
Then came the great decision:
Go the limit-build the biggest
sailing ship the world has ever
seen-build her of steel and give
her seven nasts!
B. B. CroWninSheild of Marble
head, an expert at sailing ship
design, was commissioned to
draw the plans for the seven
master. The ship was named for
Thomas w. Lawson, Boston's
famed copper king, and mem
Der of the building syndicate.
None Finer Ever Built
From an engineering stand
point, a finer sailing ship never
was built.
She had two complete steel
decks, a tier of widely-spaced
hold beams, a poop extending
we'll forward of the after-mast
and a topgallant forecastle under
which was the windlass. A
wheel-house protected the helms
man. She had a Az foot McIntire
tank built into her bottom,
which held $50 tons of water
ballast and the fore and aft peak
tanks held an additional 119 tons,
for total of 1869 tons. She drew
II feet when in ballast.
The Lawson had five 25-horse-
power steam engines to raise and
lower the sails and sixth engine
of 40-horSepoWer to work the
capstan. She carried two 10000
pound stockless anchors.
There were two boiler plants,
one forward and the other aft.
The forward plant also supplied
plant and the after boiler sup
piled power for the steering
machinery. She had steam heat
in the cabins and a steam whis-
tie just like a steamship. A tele-
phone system connected the
wheel-house with the boiler
rooms.
Without engines she came as
close to being steamship as
could be possible.
/ There she was on the ways OF
the Fore River shipyard at
, Quincy, a giant sailing ship with
her seven masts stepped, ready
for the launching July 10, 1902.
More than 10000 people
thronged the yard and the near
by areas to see the launching.
Here was something never seen
before in history-and never to
be seen again. Excursion ships
too, crowded up the river.
Shortly after two-o'clock, be
fore all the keel-blocks and
shores were removed and while
the shipyard crews were driving
wedges, the Lawson let go and
started down the ways. Miss
Helen Watson, daughter Of the
shipyard's manager, h Silly
christened the ship and the Law
son quickly became waterborne.
Bese: BY Troubles
Up to this point the Lawson
was the glamour girl of the
schooner fleet-but her troubles
were just starting.
Loaded she would sail pretty
well, provided she avoided
shoals. After all, she drew 80 feet
of water.
But when light, the Lawson
was tough ship to handle. Mr..
Crowninsheild recalls the first
trip from Boston to Philadelphia
when it was decided to tack ship.
Mr.. Crowninsheild asked how
long this would take.
We'll, you go below and have
your dinner and when you come