Image:Schooner Thomas W. Lawson 1902-1907 (loaded, later period).jpg

Sevenmasted schooner 'Thomas W. Lawson'.

This was the biggest "pure" sailing ship (i.e., without auxiliary engine) ever built. She was lost on 1907-12-14 in British waters at Hellweather's Reef, near the Isles of Scilly, killing sixteen of the eighteen persons on board (fifteen crew and the pilot) and causing the first known major oil spill.

This photograph was taken in 1906 or 1907. See en:Thomas W. Lawson (ship) and/or de:Thomas W. Lawson: The Lawson's hull was painted in bright colours when launched, but later the hull was painted black. Her topmasts were taken off by 1903. She was not completely re-rigged before 1906.

As the Lawson did not leave America's East coast before her last voyage, this photograph must have been made there (probably in North America). Furthermore, for her extraordinary draft when loaded, one might be able to further reduce the possibilities for the location of this scene.

At http://history.vineyard.net/photos/vh10/V105702.HTM, an other (and less cropped) print from same negative ist shown which has, according to the webpage, a hand-written note Thomas M. Lawson / Boston Harbor 1911 on its backside. As the city's skyline is more distinct on that other print, it might be checked whether "Boston" is correct. The date 1911 and the name Thomas M. Lawson definitely are not.

http://history.vineyard.net/photos/vh10/V104003.HTM

1906-1907

unknown

see below