June 2009 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 21.
Maritime History:
Wrecked!
A three masted schooner wrecked on Cranberry Isle.
lay helpless on the shoal.
Since the launching of the THOMAS W. Bangor Daily Commercial, 6 January 1904
LAWSON, famous then and now as the only MEN FROZEN TO
seven masted schooner afloat, she has met THE HULL
with several mishaps. These accidents have The Terrible Experiences of the Crew of
been due to the fact that the vessel draws so the Schooner AYER.
much water. On this voyage the schooner has
the additional disadvantage of setting lower GLOUCESTER, MA. January 6. – The hardy
than ordinarily in the water because of the fishermen of Gloucester are familiar with the
large cargo of coal which she carries in her harrowing experiences of seaman in winter, New England Fiberglass Company
hold. When the LAWSON cleared from New- but a number of them Wednesday said that
port News, she was loaded with 8,010 tons of the story of the suffering and privations,
coal, and the Boston agents of the ship report which the crew of the British schooner AYER
Yacht Repair/Restorations
that this cargo is the largest consignment of have just passed is of the worst ever heard
coal ever sent here by one schooner. here. The five men who comprised the crew of
TUG AGROUND TOO. the schooner including Captain J. A. Sebean 58 Fore Street, Portland, ME 04101
The tug UNDERWRITER worked on the of St. John, New Brunswick were brought in
(207) 773-3537 Phone (207) 874-7926 Fax
LAWSON the greater part of the forenoon, here Wednesday by the fisherman JENNIE B.
www.nefiberglass.com email: newenglandfibe@conversent.net
but her efforts to move the big collier were HODGDON, whose captain Parkman
suddenly terminated for the time being the Hodgdon and two men had performed a dar-
strong current running through the sound ing rescue, having sighted the AYER dis-
carried the UNDERWRITER onto the shoal abled and on Monday morning in spite of
where she remained hard and fast for several tremendous seas and the frightful cold, in ice-
PAUL E. LUKE, INC.
hours. The tow boat was still aground at coated dories taken on the AYER’s men who
noon. were almost at the point of death. Fireplaces - Automatic Feathering Propellors - 3-Piece Storm Anchors
A serious accident occurred on board The rescued men are Captain J. A.
the UNDERWRITER while she was pulling Sebean, mate Joseph Vitner, Cook William
Full Service Boat Yard
on the LAWSON Mate Bevens of the tow Ben and seamen John Ellison and Hans
15 Luke's Gulch, East Boothbay, Maine 04544
boat struck on the head by the tug’s quadrant Petersen. When the HODGDON reached
TEL. (207) 633-4971 A. Franklin Luke FAX: (207) 633-3388
part of the steering gear. This blow was a here, although everything possible had been
terrible one and caused a facture of the base done by her men for the victims of the wreck,
of the skull. The tug STORM KING, which
Continued on Page 22.
was towing a barge from New York eastward
RALPH STANLEY, INC.
happened along soon after the
WOODEN BOATS
accident and dropping her tow
for work and pleasure
which was anchored, she car-
ried the injured man to this port.
Bevens was removed to the
CUSTOM-MADE
marine hospital when an exami-
INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNED
nation showed that the
chances are against his recov-
Southwest Harbor, Maine 04679 (207) 244-3795
ery.
Bevens is 40 years old and
his home is in Somerville. The MAINE COAST LUMBER, INC.
STORM KING, after landing
Bevens, returned to the
stranded vessels and Friday
4 Warren Ave.
afternoon began an attempt to
17 White Birch Lane
Westbrook, ME 04902
York, ME 03909
float the UNDERWRITER.
(207) 856-6015
(207) 363-7426
Once the UNDERWRITER is
(877) 408-4751
(800) 899-1664
afloat it was the plan that both
Fax (207) 856-6971
Fax (207) 363-8650
towboats should pull on the
M-F 7:30am-4:00pm
M-F 7am-5pm
Saturday 8am-12pm
LAWSON.
SCHOONER NOT INJURED.
The schooner has not
been injured in the slightest. A
*HARDWOOD LUMBER*SOFTWOOD LUMBER*
fresh westerly wind prevailed
*HARDWOOD PLYWOODS*MELAMINE*MDF*MARINE
this afternoon, but the sea had
PLYWOODS*MDO*PARTICLE BOARD*SLATWALL*LAMINATE*
gone down and was compara-
*EDGE BANDING*VENEER*HARDWOOD MOLDINGS*
*CUSTOM MILLING*DOVETAILED DRAWER BOXES
tively smooth. The indications
Bath Industrial Sales
were that the LAWSON would
56 New Meadows Rd.
be floated by the aid of the cur-
West Bath, ME 04530 We Deliver
www.mainecoastlumber.com
rent on the flood tide during the
(207) 442-9754 www.bistools.com
ME, NH, VT, MA, RI mainecoastlumber@yahoo.com
We Ship UPS
afternoon.
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