From collection Mount Desert Island Historical Society - Paul Stubing Ballard Print Collection
Sardine Carrier "Gary Allen" and "El Placita"
This is a photo of the Sardine Carrier "Gary Allen" (a steam yacht at the turn of the century). "El Placita" also had been a steam yacht. Diesel took over at the time of WWII. Ralph Stanley said "El Placita" was owned by the Machiasport Cannery. She was owned by Jones Wass, Henry Wass's father, at the time of this photo. Ralph thinks this is in the late 40's. The motor boat (lobsterboat) with the white spray hood and bow partially hidden by pilings was owned by "Billy Dump" Spurling, Geneva Spurling's father. That boat was built by Chester Clement in the 1930's. The boat across the head of the dock, that you can't see, is the "Vinalhaven" which was built at Southwest Boat during WWII to serve as a ferry between Rockland and Vinalhaven. The sardine carrier at the dock, the "Lawrence Wayne", was built by Sim (Granville) Davis.
