Mystic in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Maine Sloop Boat Estella A
Photographed by Michael Herrick, September 16, 2024
1. Maine Sloop Boat Estella A Marker
Maine Sloop Boat Estella A
Built: R.E. (Rob) McLain
Long Island, ME, 1904
Length: 34'5"
Beam: 11'9"
A century ago, there were hundreds of sail-powered lobster boats like this one, swinging from moorings in nearly every Maine harbor. The Estella A was built in 1904 in Bremen Long Island, Maine, by R.E. McLain. His son, Newell McLain, gave us valuable information when it was first restored by Newbert & Wallace in the 1970s.
Sloop boats or Friendship sloops like this were often sailed by one person. Built just as the transition to engines was taking place, Estella A carried a two-cylinder, 9-HP Knox engine as auxiliary power and to help haul traps. Once powerplants became dependable, sailing hulls gave way to the engine-driven lobsterboats we know today. Estella A survives as an example of a once-common vessel type. Usually tied-up along the Thomas Thomas Oyster House as part of our fisheries waterfront display, the vessel is currently in the Armstrong Workshop for restoration.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 41° 21.681′ N, 71° 57.961′ W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Mystic. It can be reached from the intersection
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline, in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore, and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Master Shipbuilders (within shouting distance of this marker); Lobster Car (within shouting distance of this marker); Training Ship Joseph Conrad (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis Temple, 1800 - 1954 (within shouting distance of this marker); It's All Connected (within shouting distance of this marker); The Leadership of Indigenous Women (within shouting distance of this marker); Block Island Fire Engine #1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Downing, Oyster King (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Training Ship Joseph Conrad (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Mystic Seaport. (Submitted on December 29, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Mystic Seaport (Wikipedia). (Submitted on December 29, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Michael Herrick, September 16, 2024
2. Maine Sloop Boat Estella A Marker
Photographed by Michael Herrick, September 16, 2024
3. The Armstrong Workshop
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 29, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
