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By ISAAC KESTENBAUM, News Assistant Friday, April 27, 2007

The photo on Page A1 today of ships moored in Portland Harbor has been in Thomas Stackhouse's family for generations.

The picture, which was likely taken between 1897 and 1917, was given to Stackhouse's maternal great-grandmother, he said, but the exact circumstances are unclear. "I don't know if one of my relatives was on a boat or had something to do with it," he said.

Stackhouse, who lives in Lisbon Falls, has deep roots in Portland. As a child, he was fascinated with the photograph, which is about 1 foot high and 4 feet long and had hung in his grandparents' house.

"I remember seeing it with my grandfather and grandmother and thinking how cool it was to see those ships, and wouldn't it be nice to go out to sea and enjoy that life," Stackhouse said. "I finally got a chance to do it in the Coast Guard."

Stackhouse served aboard the Coast Guard cutter Decisive in the late 1970s and early 1980s; his work included rescuing mariners in distress and intercepting drugs in the Florida Keys.

Stackhouse now works for the Maine DOT but he still loves the sea. The picture of Portland Harbor now hangs in his own living room. He sees the photo as part of his legacy and plans to pass it on to his son, Brendan, 17.

"It's something that you can't help but walk past and look at," he said. "You actually sometimes think (the ships) are moving. You get up close and you can see the people on board."

Stackhouse decided to share his photo when he learned that the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram is commemorating the 400th anniversary of Maine's shipbuilding industry with a Web site and an upcoming series of stories.

"I just wanted to share (the photograph) with everyone, because I've never seen a picture quite like it," he said.

Stackhouse brought the picture to the newspaper's Portland office, where staff photographer Doug Jones scanned it and digitally repaired a few tears and blemishes.

Jones has dated the photograph based on two landmarks visible on the horizon: Spring Point Ledge Light, which was built in 1897, and the Ottawa House, a hotel that burned in 1917. The picture was likely taken from Fort Allen Park.

Much remains unknown about the photograph. Many of the moored vessels appear to be in disrepair. Jones believes the six-masted schooner at far left may have been built at Bath Iron Works.

Those who may know more are invited to contact the newspaper.

News Assistant Isaac Kestenbaum can be contacted at 791-6308 or at: