History

By Dr. Henrietta Schavran

On September 15, 1894, the Huntington Yacht Club was organized at a meeting held at the residence of J.W. Shepard. A constitution and set of bylaws were adopted and officers and trustees were elected. Henry H. Gordon was elected as the first Commodore. The entrance fee was fixed at $25.00 with $15.00 yearly dues. The Club's intent was "to promote social intercourse, create an interest in yachting and other aquatic sports and provide a suitable and convenient Club House, anchorage and harbor or basin for the use of its members." The Bylaws provided for three regattas annually.

By 1906, Huntington Yacht Club was called “a friendly little organization where many interesting and very excellent sailing and powerboats were moored in the cove that formed our anchorage.” Among the very excellent boats at anchor circa 1910 were Commodore August Heckscher’s 187 foot “Anahama” and Juliana Ferguson’s 110-foot “The Mermaid.” Early Club members included other prominent persons: George Cortelyou, who had served as U.S. Postmaster General as well as private secretary to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, and William McKinley; Frederick L. Upjohn, one of the founders of the Upjohn Company; George W. Brown, owner of the renowned Brown Brothers Pottery Company; and Andre, Jacques, and Louis Bustonoby, creators of the internationally famous Casino, “Chateau des Beaux Arts,” overlooking Huntington Harbor.

Early Club members and boat designers William Atkin and Cottrell Wheeler built boats for many Club members. Through the efforts of Atkin and Wheeler and the Bostonoby Brothers, the first International Harmsworth Race in American waters was held in Huntington Bay.

In the mid 1920’s, several of the younger Club members created the Suicide Class of small-boat racing, a development class rather than a one-design class. By 1930, the widespread popularity of Suicide racing brought national prominence to our Club.

The Hurricane of 1938 caused water to rise two and one-half feet over the first floor, and volunteer members worked to save the Club. Joan D’Auria, daughter of deceased member Judge Joseph Lebkuecher, and wife of Past Commodore Michael D’Auria, remembers being carried to East Shore Road in the arms of then manager, George Nidham (she was seven years old).

During World War II, some members left to join the Armed Forces and others became members of the Coast Guard Reserves and Coast Guard Auxiliary. The first USCGA Flotilla in our area, Flotilla 1204, included over 30% of the Club membership. Many members donated their boats to the Coast Guard, which were used to patrol local waters. Club social and racing activities continued, with restrictions, during the War. Gasoline was rationed and there was very little operation of boats after dark. Lighted buoys and lighthouses were put out because of the probable danger of German submarines getting into Long Island Sound.

Post War excitement saw the Club booming until the tragic fire on November 9, 1959. An explosion occurred about 9:30 A.M. and by noon there was nothing but ashes left of the Club. Also destroyed in this fire were most of the Club’s records and archives. Out of the ruins rose hope and a new Clubhouse. A meeting was held in the Halesite Firehouse in December 1959, at which the members agreed unanimously to build the present Clubhouse. Past Commodore Rogers Ketcham placed the piling before Christmas and the building was completed by June 1, 1960. The Commissioning was held on schedule and was attended by 250 people.

Through the decades, women have been involved in Club activities, sharing in cruising, racing and social events. In 1967, the HYC Ladies Auxiliary was organized. Its primary purpose was to promote a friendly atmosphere and to make ladies welcome. Since then, the Auxiliary has donated substantial sums for improvements inside and outside the Club including the cost of the outside stairway to the upper deck of our Clubhouse, landscaping, and furniture, and it continues to promote Club activities. Women have joined the Club as full boating members and are involved as Chairpersons of Junior Sailing, Pool, and other Committees. Dr. Henrietta Schavran was the first woman elected to the Board of Trustees, serving as Trustee and as Officer in the capacity of Secretary and Treasurer.

A period of major expansion began in the late 1960’s that included the addition of a marina and a swimming pool. The first boats moved into the marina in July 1970. The marina was constructed after many applications, hearings, and the actual moving of the Harbor channel, all directed and arranged for by Past Commodore Michael D’Auria, with plans drawn by Past Commodore Robert Wagenseil. A low water area on the north side of the Clubhouse was dredged to accommodate the marina. During the 1970’s, the marina was expanded. New membership categories were created. Racing activities were held year round, with Frostbite races taking place during the winter months until the harbor froze over. Many a winter Sunday saw our stalwart sailors, bundled against the cold, racing Blue Jays in the Harbor, while other members gathered on the Upper Deck and cheered them on while partaking of clam chowder and liquid refreshments.

Under the leadership of various Commodores in the 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990’s, our Club continued to grow. The Marina was expanded and now accommodates over 90 boats. In the 1990’s major renovations made to the clubhouse included docks, pool, dockhouse, pool bathrooms, and members’ lounge. In 1997 our snack bar and pool annex were renovated. We upgraded our junior sailing fleet and started an adult boat sailing program. Summer boating activities expanded to include weekend cruises for sail and powerboats. In 1992 and again in 1996, a large number of Club members organized and performed in two musical extravaganzas based on popular Broadway shows. Under the administration of Commodore John S. Scannello, we purchased land, beachfront, and associated riparian rights of the property on our northern border. Initiated during the administration of Commodore Saul D. Federman and continued by Commodore Fred Spiegel, efforts for further expansion of our Marina and major maintenance dredging were implemented.

In 1998, the Marina maintenance-dredging project was completed, restoring adequate depth to slips on the north and Club docks. The Clubhouse bar was renovated, including the addition of new bar chairs donated by Club members. Also donated were two large corner cases for display of Club trophies in the Lounge.

In 1999, Commodore Fred Spiegel continued to negotiate for the addition of new slips on the north side of our Club. Electrical services and docks were upgraded on the North Dock as was landscaping around the property. Interior building beautification included lobby, main floor, and restroom renovations.

An Endowment Fund was created for the future financial security of HYC. A favorable mortgage was successfully negotiated permitting us to pay off outstanding capital loans. The Ladies Auxiliary offered many social and fundraising functions and donated new dinnerware to the Club. The HYC social and boating calendar was spectacular, concluding with a memorable New Year’s Eve party to welcome the 21^st century.

HYC ushered in the new millennium and its third century of nautical life under the guidance of Commodore Dr. Robert Scully. Club finances continued to grow. Upgrading of our sound system, and total renovation of the two ladies bathrooms were among the projects completed during the year 2000 and 2001. Also in 2001, the South bulkhead was replaced.

In 2002, under the leadership of Commodore Eliot Levine, the Dining Room and South Room were redecorated. The parking lot bulkhead was replaced, and drainage systems installed. Three defibrillators were purchased. Our longtime plans for expansion of the Marina finally became a reality. Construction of the Cove Dock to the north of the existing North Dock with 11 additional slips, some capable of accommodating larger yachts, was completed in time for the summer boating season. Major upgrades and renovation of North Dock and Clubhouse electrical systems were completed.

In 2003, the downstairs Lounge and Lobby were redecorated. The Lounge now displays a wide array of Club burgees. Additional projects being considered are the installation on an elevator and French doors from the lounge to an outer deck facing the Harbor. Electrical service at the South Dock was increased, and further modernization of the facilities is ongoing.

In the year 2000, HYC presented a new trophy, the HYC Annual Charity Cup to be awarded to the overall winner of the HYC Charity Race. Over 30 boats participated in the first Charity Race, which was part of the long-standing HYC Annual Day Race activities. The Charity Race, named Race for the Cure, benefited the Susan G Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. In 2001, 2002, and 2003, the Charity Race for the Cure again benefited the Susan G. Komen Foundation. In 2003, several Races were initiated or revived. The Ladies Spirit Race Series, an all-woman’s race, brought back the tradition of women’s racing at HYC. The annual Frostbite Race Series was revived, to be conducted in late fall and early spring. HYC became a member of the Target Rock sailboat Race Series that comprises three Clubs in the area, and runs races in the spring and Fall.

The Club Summer Cruises have continued to be extremely popular, as have been the numerous social events sponsored by the Fleet Captain, the Social Committee, and the Ladies Auxiliary. Also well attended were Junior Yacht Club, Junior Sailing and Junior Swim Teams, the latter two winning awards for HYC. In 2003, HYC hosted an important Town-wide Swim Meet.

In 2003, HYC became the Huntington Chapter of the International Blue Gavel. This organization consists of Past Commodores from Yacht Clubs all over the world.

In 1994, our Centennial year, a book, HISTORY OF HUNTINGTON YACHT CLUB, was completed and published after years of research and preparation by the HYC History Committee. In 1999 HYC received valuable historical items, including photographs of Club Annual Dinners dating as early as 1912 which were framed and put on display. In 2001, an extensive inventory of Club Trophies and memorabilia was completed, and the HYC History walls were rearranged and expanded. In 2003, the public was invited to attend a Reception featuring a major exhibit of HYC historical documents and photos, in conjunction with the 350^th Anniversary Celebration of the Town of Huntington. A supplement to the HYC History Book is being written that will include photos of all current members.

Our Club continues to be involved in community activities. We have sponsored several charity balls and have been actively involved in environmental projects to protect our waters and shoreline. We have promoted junior sailing, swimming, and other activities for the young people of our Club and our Community. Division XXII and the Huntington Flotilla of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, an arm of the U.S. Coast Guard, hold their meetings and conduct Public Education courses at the Club. We also are a designated emergency pick-up center for boating casualties. In 1997, we hosted the Newfoundland Flotilla Cabot 500, a Town-wide celebration of the 500th year of Cabot’s discovery of Newfoundland. In 2003, HYC hosted a Reception to benefit the Huntington Lighthouse. As stated above, HYC sponsors an annual Charity Race, which in the past 3 years has donated over $80,000.00 to the Greater NYC Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Through efforts of HYC, the Komen Foundation gave a large grant to Huntington Hospital.

We can proudly say we are continuing our long tradition of excellence in boating, social, and community goals. At the Huntington Yacht Club, our members enjoy the challenges and joys of the sea and the relaxing camaraderie among friends when they return to home port.