A. W. Lawrence

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A. W. Lawrence US No. 105948
Year
Built
Last
Year
Built At
Type
Length
Beam
Draft
Gross
Tons
Net
Tons
1880
1888
Sturgeon Bay , WI
Tug
72.0
16.0
9.0
50.62
24.21
The A. W. Lawrence (US No. 105948) was a 50 ton tug built by Captain John Gregory of Chicago at Sturgeon Bay, WI, for Sturgeon Bay Lumber Co. While attempting to launch her on 29 May 1880, the stern blocks on which the boat was resting held fast, and the craft swung around at the bow. Capt. Gregory was standing on one of the ways at the time she fell off as it broke and injured his back, though not seriously. Successfully launched on 3 June 1880.

While the A. W. Lawrence was being built, she was touted as going to be one of the finest tugs ever on the lakes. The machinery of the old tug Reindeer (US No 21441), owned by the Peshtigo Company, was placed in her.

On 30 Nov 1882, the tug John Gregory took tug Lawrence and new tug launched to Sturgeon Bay.

The tug received a new engine and boiler from the Ben Drake (US No 2143) in March of 1883. She was to be used to tow logs to and from Sturgeon Bay Lumber Co.’s sawmill.

On 30 October 1888 she was about 3 miles off North Point awaiting sailing vessels in need of a tow when she exploded her boiler, killing four of six occupants. Those who died were Capt. Sullivan, Engineer John Sullivan, Fireman Edward Sullivan, and Lineman Thomas Handley. The tug J. B. Merrill (US No. 75363) rescued the survivors, Frank McGowran the Cook and a visitor, Thomas Dooley, but the Lawrence sank to the bottom. The tug was valued at $4,500 and the owners were John McCoy and James Bannan, both of Milwaukee.

Captains of the A. W. Lawrence were John Gregory, Joseph Harrington, Sullivan, John Driscoll & Frank F Bannen.

Diver Jerry Guyer believes he may have found her remains in 1999.