George Lawley & Son History and Heritage

George Lawley & Son has a rich history that spans over a century. Founded in 1867, the company was initially a small family-owned business.

The company's early years were marked by a focus on shipbuilding, with George Lawley Sr. working as a shipwright and later becoming a successful businessman. He built and repaired ships in the Boston harbor.

George Lawley & Son's shipbuilding expertise led to the construction of several notable vessels, including the USS Constitution's sister ship, the USS United States. This achievement cemented the company's reputation as a leading shipbuilder.

The company's commitment to innovation and quality has remained a core part of its identity, with a focus on building and repairing vessels that meet the highest standards of safety and performance.

George Lawley & Son has a rich history dating back to 1866 when George Lawley founded the company. George Lawley was a skilled shipbuilder who had a passion for innovation.

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The company's early success can be attributed to its focus on building high-quality schooners, which were in high demand at the time. George Lawley & Son's schooners were known for their speed and maneuverability.

In the late 1800s, George Lawley & Son began to expand its operations, building a new shipyard in Boston. This expansion allowed the company to take on larger projects and increase its production capacity.

George Lawley & Son's commitment to innovation led to the development of the first steel-hulled yacht in 1887. This groundbreaking design marked a significant shift in the industry and solidified the company's reputation as a leader in shipbuilding.

During World War II, the Neponset shipyard of George Lawley and Son played a crucial role in the war effort. They helped design and build over 100 Landing Craft Infantry (Large) ships, which were instrumental in various military operations.

The Lawley shipyard was the primary design yard for these ships, and their drawings were shared with 9 other U.S. shipyards that were also building LCI(L) ships. This collaborative effort was a key factor in the production of these vital vessels.

The Neponset shipyard was also tasked with pioneering the design and development of Landing Craft Support ships. This type of ship was requested by the U.S. Navy to provide direct naval gunfire support to newly landed troops.

Around 50 LCS(L)3 ships, also known as "Mighty Midgets", were built by Lawley and shared with Commercial Iron Works and Albina Engine and Machine Works shipyards in Portland, Oregon.

George Lawley & Son was a renowned shipbuilder that produced a wide range of vessels, from small motorboats to large sailing ships.

The company's shipyard was operational from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, and during this time, they built numerous ships for various purposes. Here are some of the notable ships built by George Lawley & Son:

* Endymion, Merlin, Sachem, Marguerite, Puritan, Mayflower, Elf, USS Inca, USS Blakely, USS DeLong, USS Pawnee, USS Lady Mary, USS Cigarette, USS Wanderlust, USS Zipalong, USS Eaglet, USS Taniwha, USS Shrewsbury, USS Zenda, USS Gem, USS Hiawatha, DN-1, USS Edamena II, USS Kingfisher, USS Lynx, USS Scoter, USS Venture, USS Orca, USS Rivalen, USS Guinevere, HMCS Oriole, USS Aide De Camp, MV Camargo, and USS Sapphire.

These ships were built for various purposes, including racing, cruising, and military use. Some of them, like the Puritan and Mayflower, were even designed to compete in the America's Cup.

Here's a list of some of the ships built by George Lawley & Son, grouped by type:

These ships showcase the company's expertise in building vessels for various purposes, and their legacy continues to be celebrated by ship enthusiasts and historians today.

The Lawley family's history is deeply intertwined with the story of George Lawley & Son, a renowned Massachusetts shipyard. George F. Lawley, an English shipbuilder, sailed to America in 1851, marking the beginning of the family's four-generation legacy.

George's father was a boatbuilder in Limehouse, London, and George himself started his career as an apprentice to Thomas and William Forrest in England. He later moved his family to Massachusetts in 1851.

Family lore suggests that the steamship built by George Lawley passed the yacht AMERICA on her famous Cup voyage, setting the family on a path to subsequent Cup victories. This event had a lasting impact on the family's reputation as skilled shipbuilders.

George Lawley founded his own shipyard in Scituate, Massachusetts, after working for Donald McKay. Within a few years, his son George joined the business, and the company name became George Lawley and Son.

The Lawleys built notable vessels, including the Cup defenders Puritan and Mayflower, and other well-known yachts, both sail and power. Their work was highly regarded, and they became a prominent force in the Massachusetts shipbuilding industry.

Frederick D. Lawley, George's son, studied naval architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later joined the company as manager and designer. He played a crucial role in the company's success, particularly during World War I.

In 1901, the Lawleys began working for the United States navy, launching two torpedo boats. This marked the beginning of a long association with the navy that would continue for many years.

The Lawley family's legacy continued even after George Lawley's death in 1915. His son Frederick D. Lawley and grandson George F. Lawley II left the company in 1926 to establish F.D. Lawley in Quincy, Massachusetts.

The McInnis-Lawley Collection is a treasure trove of plans and models collected by Walter J. McInnis after the shipyard closed.

It contains approximately 1,700 sheets of plans representing about 150 designs, organized by design number. The collection also includes a small donation of photographs and archival materials from the Lawley family.

The collection spans primarily from the 1890s to the 1920s, with some material as recent as the 1980s.

The McInnis Collection is a treasure trove of historical documents and models collected by Walter J. McInnis after George Lawley & Son Corp. shut down in 1946. The collection consists of about 1,700 sheets of plans representing approximately 150 designs, organized by design number.

These plans are a remarkable resource for historians and researchers, providing a detailed look at the shipyard's work during its heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The collection also includes customer account books from 1921 to 1923 and from 1929 to 1940, offering valuable insights into the business operations of George Lawley & Son Corp.

The bulk of the collection is organized by design number, making it easy to navigate and find specific plans and information.

A small collection of photographs and archival materials was donated by the Lawley family, adding to the richness and diversity of the collection.

The model collection includes half models and a few items demonstrating construction techniques, giving a hands-on look at the shipyard's craftsmanship.

The collection is open for research by appointment, making it accessible to those who want to learn more about George Lawley & Son Corp.'s history and legacy.

The Lawley Family Collection is organized into seven series, making it easy to navigate and find what you're looking for.

The collection includes family papers, company papers, and volumes, which are divided into specific series for easier access.

Series three through seven contain volumes, with series three holding volumes of George Lawley and Son, and series six containing a volume of George F. Lawley II's.

The collection spans multiple generations of the Lawley family, with different series dedicated to different family members and their businesses.

George Lawley & Son was founded by George Lawley, Sr., an English immigrant who had previously worked for Donald McKay.

The bulk of the McInnis-Lawley collection consists of plans and models collected by Walter J. McInnis after the shipyard closed.

There are approximately 1,700 sheets of plans representing about 150 designs, organized by design number, in the collection.

The collection also includes a small collection of photographs and archival materials donated by the Lawley family.

Business material includes customer account books from 1921 to 1923 and from 1929 to 1940, along with a 1929 specifications booklet for a three-masted schooner.

The model collection includes half models and a few items demonstrating construction techniques.

The collection is primarily from the 1890s to the 1920s, with some material dating as recent as the 1980s.