The John G. Lawton was a steamboat of the Savannah River in the United States. The ship's boilers exploded on June 9, 1859, just beyond Gun Stump Landing, about above the city of Savannah, Georgia, killing and injuring several people. The steamboat Excel "was in sight" at the time of the explosion and "promptly rendered assistance". The explosion was a cover story in Frank Leslie's Illustrated News.
Among those identified as killed:
Gatty or Gates of Barnwell, South Carolina
Mr. Washington Goette of Silver Hill, South Carolina (possibly same as previous) Edward Grant, "white deck hand" John S. Montmollin, banker and illegal slave trader of Savannah John Robison, "colored cabin boy, property of Mrs. P. Prendergast," possibly also described as "John Robertson, waiter, colored, missing" Richard Scaborough, deck passenger, of Purysburg John Stone, "colored fireman, property of F.M. Stone" of Columbus, Georgia James Strobhart of Savannah John Williams, "colored pilot"
Missing:
Capt. T.G. Keeble
Allen, the property of Mr. Orman
Negro, property of Mr. Augustus Osmand (possibly same as Allen) "Colored deckhand, name unknown"