Paul Stubing said this is a photograph of the "Novelty" being launched for the Stonington Packing Plant. He said she was built at Hinckley's where Raymond Bunker was the master builder.
According to James Warren's book, "Maine Sardine Industry History 1875-2000", she was built in Southwest Harbor in 1944. Her length was 64.8 ft., depth 6.3 ft., gross ton 39 and her net ton 20. She was affiliated with Burnham & Morrill Seafood and R.K. Barter Canneries of Stonington.
She has a wartime number on her hull which reads 245802. There are people lining the wharves on either side of the "Novelty" as she slides into the water.
Ballard, W.H., “Launching "Novelty",” Mount Desert Island Historical Society, accessed April 29, 2024, https://mdihs.digitalarchive.us/items/show/12916.Item 13282
