Harry Piers: Museum Maker

Notes from Piers Accession Book:

Photograph of the great ship, "W.D. Lawrence", of 2459 tons, on the stocks just before launching , at shipyard of William Dawson Lawrence, Maitland, Hants County, Nova Scotia. She was launched on 27th October, 1874.

The "W.D. Lawrence" was the largest Canadian-built ship. She was of 2429 tons; and her dimensions were: length, 260.0 feet, breadth, 47.6 feet, depth in hold, 29.2 feet. She subsequently became the "Kommander Svend Foyn." The photograph shows her masted and rigged and with 2 sails [bent]. The hull is stripped ready for launching; the staging taken down, but the uprights for the staging still standing, as these uprights remain[] until after the vessel was launched. At the bow is seen a sloping [gantry(?)] give access to the staging.

The builder, William D. Lawrence, was an Irishman by birth, who came to Maitland, Nova Scotia, when very young, and established a notable shipyard there. The masts and yards of the "W.D. Lawrence" were made by James Moore or More of Maitland. The masts were "built" (composite) [once] of white pine; and the yards were of spruce. The name of the rigger is not known. (Mr. Macdonald of Maitland). The sails were made by Thomas Forhan, sailmaker of Halifax. [] Joe Howe Waddell of South Maitland who was born 25 October 1844.

At the left of the picture is seen the house of John Whidden, farmer. W.D. Lawrence's residence is out of the picture, to the left. In the foreground appears timber ready for use in shipbuilding.

Date Accessioned: 28 October 1930

Photographer: Gauvin and Gentzel

Reference: Harry Piers number 6769  Nova Scotia Archives Photograph Collection Transportation & Communication: Ships and Shipping /  negative: N-5303