Dave,

Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa

I counted seven masts and, said to myself, I'd know that vessel anywhere. Being of the age where my daily exercise consists of leaping to conclusions, I was off and running. My questions to Grok were slanted and Grok answered my questions.

A closer review suggests two schooner-rigged vessels with four and three masts.

The Thomas W Lawson is an example of the S Curve theory of acceptance of new technology. When new technology reaches 20% of a market, the older technology overreaches in an effort to maintain it's its lead. This sometimes leads to vessels like the Thomas W Lawson, totally unfit for purpose.

Thanks for the correction.

JJ

"In this Shorpy photo, labeled 'Down the Savannah River', the Thomas W. Lawson stands out as the last ship on the right. Known as the largest true sailing vessel ever built, this seven-masted schooner was a coal-hauling giant. The shortened masts — trimmed between 1902 and 1907 for better handling — suggest the image is more precisely dated to 1903–1907, as the ship wasn’t launched until mid-1902. The ship sank on the English coast in 1907. A fleeting visitor to Savannah, the Lawson’s unique silhouette refines the timeline of this historic scene."

I used Grok to generate this comment. I think the last sentence gave AI away.

[This photo, as well as its colorized postcard version, was entered into the Library of Congress copyright register in June 1901 . Perhaps your AI is wrong about the presence of "shortened masts" (a 'mastectomy'?) in this image, or it's just having an off day. - Dave]

"In the days before air travel, air line was a common term for the shortest distance between two points: a straight line drawn through the air (or on a map), ignoring natural obstacles (i.e., "as the crow flies"). Hence, a number of 19th-century railroads used air line in their titles to suggest that their routes were shorter than those of competing roads: see list at Air-line railroad." (Wikipedia)

... you can see all the way to Daufuskie Island.

One foggy morning recently at Bloody Point Beach on Daufuskie Island, I was awakened by the foghorns of large freighters making their way down out of the Savannah River -- every minute or two they sounded. I couldn't see the ships, but they were definitely making their presence known.

I have truly enjoyed the periodic glimpses of old Savannah this platform has provided. So many stories and so much history to explore there!

I believe most, if not all, of these buildings are still in existence.
Apologies, but I haven't mastered the intricacies of embeding graphics.

I believe is the Old Cotton Exchange on Bay Street.

The Savannah Cotton Exchange -- the cupolaed building just right of center -- was one of a half-dozen such trading halls around the country (New York, New Orleans, Mobile, Memphis, Galveston) similar in purpose but sharing no affiliation. Still extant as a restaurant, it's the only survivor of the group from the 19th century.

The building with the cupola was the Cotton Exchange. A few doors down is the River Street Inn, where we stayed a few years ago. Savannah is an interesting city and well worth a visit.