Alexander M. Lawrence
Sandy Hook Pilot boat
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Alexander M. Lawrence was the last of the 19th-century sailing schooners to be in the New York pilot boat service as a station boat. She was one of the largest and fastest in the Sandy Hook fleet. She was built to take the place of the New York pilot-boat Abraham Leggett, No. 4, that was hit by the steamship Naples, in 1879. Her boat model won a medal at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair illustrating the perils of the pilot-boat service. In the age of steam, the Lawrence was sold by the Pilots' Association to the Pacific Mining and Trading Company in 1897.
- Michael Murphy (1881-1885)
- H. B. Cogswell (1898-1900)
Alexander M. Lawrence | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Alexander M. Lawrence |
| Owner | |
| Operator |
|
| Builder | C. & R. Poillon shipyard |
| Cost | $16,000 |
| Launched | 21 May 1879 |
| Out of service | 10 September 1897 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | schooner |
| Tonnage | 87 Thames Measurement[3] |
| Length | 97 ft 0 in (29.57 m) |
| Beam | 22 ft 11 in (6.99 m) |
| Depth | 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m) |
| Propulsion | Sail |
| Sail plan | 75 ft 6 in (23.01 m) |
| Notes | Stern of white oak, with live oak aprons and hooks. Floors are double Maryland oak |
Construction and service
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On May 21, 1879, the new 87-ton pilot-boat Alexander M. Lawrence, was launched from the shipyard C. & R. Poillon in Brooklyn, New York at Bridge Street. She was built for Admiral Michael Murphy and his partners. The Lawrence replaced the New York pilot-boat Abraham Leggett, No. 4, that was hit by the steamship Naples, in 1879.[3]
The Alexander M. Lawrence, was registered as a pilot Schooner with the Record of American and Foreign Shipping, from 1881 to 1900. Her ship master was Michael Murphy (1881–1885) and H. B. Cogswell (1898–1900); her owners were N. Y. Pilots; built in 1879 at Brooklyn, New York; and her hailing port was the Port of New York. [4]
On May 19, 1885, boatkeeper Sullivan reported that the Lawrence, No. 4, was about 20 miles east of Nantucket when a black whale ran headlong into the port bow of the vessel. None were hurt in the narrow escape of the Lawrence.[5]
The Lawrence was one of the representative pilot boats of the fleet and her pilot-boat model was exhibited by the Pilot Commission of New York at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair along with oil paintings illustrating the perils of the service. Her model won a medal at the Fair.[6][7] She was one of the largest and fastest in the Sandy Hook fleet.[8]
In 1895, the pilot-boat Alexander M. Lawrence, Number 4 was on duty as a station boat when the first steam pilot-boat New York went into service near the Lightship Ambrose off Sandy Hook.[9]
On July 15, 1897, during a bad storm, the Alexander M. Lawrence, rescued the crew of the sinking Virginia sloop Fawn off the Sandy Hook lightvessel.[10]
Out of service
On September 10, 1897, the Alexander M. Lawrence was sold by the Pilots' Association to the Pacific Mining and Trading Company.[11] From 1898 to 1900, her pilot was H. B. Cogswell.
