The frigate ‘Saint Lawrence’ was launched in March 1861 as a fully rigged ship by T. & W. Smith. She had two decks, with tonnage of 1,131 gross and a length of 179.1ft (54.6m). In 1878, damage repairs were carried out, and the rig was altered to that of a barque.
In the command of Captain Thomas Brodie she was struck and damaged by a storm off Cape Leeuwin en route from Newcastle to Fremantle. She turned and ran for Albany and was sighted by the Breaksea Island lighthouse keeper on the morning of 25 March 1889 and towed into port that night.
The cargo of coal was discharged and sold locally. The barque was subsequently sold to John Moir and Co. of Albany, for use as a hulk. The hulk was hired by the Adelaide Steamship Company from 1890 to 1893.
“An auction of the hulk 'Saint Lawrence' built of teak, copper fastened, well found with boiler, winch, derricks, anchors, chains, and general gear. Now at anchor at Albany" was the advertisement of 1 November 1898.
In late 1898 the hulk caught fire, was abandoned and sank in Princess Royal Harbour. During port dredging operations in 1977 a burnt wooden wreck was located and is believed to be the remains of the ‘Saint Lawrence’.