HISTORY
(as of 10/7/2009)
There is, perhaps, no parallel in the history
of yacht clubs where one has the dubious distinction of being named
after a hairnet. This curious fact alone can account for the Club's
later reincorporation with a more appropriate name. The story of the
embryo days has a color that the adult era has never been able to
emulate, and that story goes somewhat this way according to local
survivors and charter members.
Where the Oberg Funeral Home is now located at the corner of Hylan
Boulevard and Great Kills Road there lived a very wealthy man named
Henry Salomons. Mr. Salomons had established his vast fortune on a
chain of beauty parlors as well as in the manufacturing of beauty
aids, principally the hairnet. This gossamer gadget of the early
twentieth century was the invention of a French woman whom Mr.
Salomons discovered in Paris. He brought her over to this country,
and with his money financed and promoted her invention. Her name was
Yvette.
n the early 20's Mr. Salomons was approached by a group of local
racing sailors, headed by the late Daniel P. Higgins, a prominent
architect and member of the Board of Education, to support and
finance the organization of a yacht club. Brothers Nick and Al
Williams, later of Star racing fame, the Hassel brothers, Thomas
Williams, Raymond Newberry, Raymond Coddington, Robert Dowd and
Waiter Hall completed the group of Founding fathers; some of whom
served as Flag Officers, notably Dan Higgins and Nick and Al
Williams. The first club house was originally a large two storied
houseboat with what would be called today in current parlance a walk
around deck. The houseboat had been used as a sort of private
maritime school according to local authority, and was owned by a Mr.
Knudsen. It was then located near where Sorensen's Boat Yard (now
Staten Island Boat Sales) stands today. In what is described as a
masterpiece of timing and engineering. It was floated in on a full
moon tide to rest on 12" x 12" 's supported on piles. Large holes
were cut in below the waterline to prevent it from floating. It was
located where the former club house stood (now Marina Cafe). The
dock at that time ended at the pavilion.
Thus was born the Yvette Yacht Club officially incorporated the 17th
day of September, 1923. As a yacht club the Yvette was more of a
social organization made up largely of local residents. The
shallowness of the water it is said,
precluded any real boating activity. When Mr. Salomons had a 48 foot
yacht built it was moored well out in the harbor.
This boat, locally built, was the last word in luxury and equipment
of the day. For a name the owner chose that of his adopted grandson
Henry David, and for the christening ceremony chorus girls and
beauteous ladies who had endorsed his hairnets, were imported with
the blessing of David Belasco. The era being Prohibition and all
things being thoroughly legal, the gleaming bow of the HENRY DAVID
was baptized with fragrant powder puffs tossed from the hand of the
gorgeous assemblage.
In 1929 the name of the Club was changed from the Yvette Yacht Club
to the Richmond County Yacht Club and a certificate of change of
name was duly filed with the Office of the Secretary of State as of
October 1st of that year. The change, coming as it did at the
beginning of the depression, brought with it monetary troubles not
encountered earlier. The financial crash shook the Club badly as
well as its Commodore and "angel". It is reported that Mr. Salomons
tapered off in his interest in the Club but remained as its head
until 1934 when William O. Steele took over the office.
The hurricane of 1938 inaugurated a series of such devastating
storms during the next fifteen years that made a shambles out of
many of the harbor's facilities and wrecked many a fine boat. In
1941 a fire swept the houseboat that was the Club House and reduced
it to a smoldering hulk along with its contents and valuable
records. The fire is said to have started in an adjacent boat yard.
The new replacement building was designed by the late Daniel P.
Higgins, mentioned earlier as a founding father. In 1947, during
Howard R. Hill's tenure as Commodore, the pier was extended.
With the development of the harbor by dredging and eventual bulk
heading, by the Federal WPA, the Richmond County Yacht Club became a
Yacht Club in fact rather than just in name as is so ably shown in
an article which appeared in the first edition of RANGE LIGHTS,
dealing with the history of sailing up to 1958.
The club has been active in sailboat racing from the beginning. The
original fleet was a miscellaneous group of sloops which were raced
on a handicap basis. The club wanted to get more people involved and
felt a one-design class would be the answer, so a 16 foot
centerboard sloop with a shallow rudder, for the conditions then
prevailing, was designed. It was called the "Richmond County
One-Design class".
They were raced inside the harbor thereby permitting the non
participants to root for their favorite from the Club pier. Some
years later RCYC started a new one-design, called the "Harpoon"
class. They were 19 foot, round bottomed, centerboard sloops.
The years have seen many fleets of one-design class racing at
Richmond County. Stars, Comets, Penguins, Thistles, and Lightnings.
Of them all only the Penguin fleet continues to race, but the
auxiliary fleet has grown and races with a full schedule each
season. 1963 celebrated the acquisition of the north property. Then,
with the club growing beyond its limited boundary, so was the
membership. To forestall the latter, a policy of limited membership
went into effect thereby creating a waiting list and a backlog of
desirable future members. The next year saw a significant change in
the legal framework. Revisions in the constitution were started and
completed at this time. It was an arduous task involving many
evening meetings. And so changes and improvements were made where
needed, but despite these modernization the Club was forever faced
with an urgency to expand within the narrow property limits. Plans
were drawn to construct an additional story plus extending the
building into the space occupied by the lockers. This proposal never
got off the ground as it left the Club still with land difficulties
so the idea was dropped.
In 1970 Brown's Dock adjacent to us offered their property for sale.
This included a main building, a dock with slips and a parking lot.
The situation appeared made to order. It also meant that to purchase
this property the present club house and land would have to be sold.
Excitement and interest rose as it became a matter of "now or
never". "Operation Transplant" was duly born.
At the Annual Meeting of 1970 acquisition of the Brown property was
overwhelmingly approved to be financed by a refundable bond issue
together with the monies received from the sale of the Club
property. These matters were duly consummated by the sale of the
Club to the Great Kills Boat Yard and Marina, Inc. Membership was
increased to 252. Redesigning of the main building was accomplished
by architect and Past Commodore Donald E. Peters. Through the
ensuing years each Commodore and his Board of Governors has left an
imprint upon the Yacht Club.
Settled in our fine new quarters, ideas for greater convenience and
improved appearances followed quickly. The pavilion, so enjoyed on
the dock of our former location, was duplicated and is now a
favorite site to watch the harbor's passing parade of boats.
The addition of a commanding flag staff, donated by Past Commodore
Marty Hamilton, flying its ensign, burgee and officers flags, bids
welcome to visitors entering the harbor.
Vastly improved docking facilities designed and executed by members
of the Club, make Richmond County a favorite stopover for yachtsmen
plying the East Coast.
In 1976, on the 200th Anniversary of our nation, we hosted a 40
yacht German fleet. Following a mammoth American style barbecue, a
moving ceremony took place when the two nation's flags and Club
burgees were exchanged. An outpouring of national pride was
expressed with a mighty rendition of the Star Spangled Banner
resounding over the Great Kills evening waterfront.
An attractive lower floor bar, refurbished to the "ship's great room
design" of Past Commodore Frank Hansa and dedicated in his memory in
1985, serves as a focal point during the active season. Due to the
erosion of time, a new south bulkhead was required the same year.
Included in the construction, a wooden deck with attractive railings
and seating arrangements extends the outdoor facilities for social
events. The design and construction were executed by Past Commodore
Herb Loge and his staff, in record time. The original 4th of July
Harbor Festival Liberty Cup Race was hosted by RCYC with such
luminaries as Ted Turner and other America's Cup 12-meter skippers
as daily guests.
Through the late eighties and into the nineties, our membership
swelled to its constitutional limit and hovered around the 300
member mark. To accommodate this increased usage of our facilities,
a new Fortier launch was purchased in 1991. Our launch fleet was now
composed of 3 U.S. Coast Guard certified vessels. During that year,
we also purchased 3 fourteen foot Catalina sloops in a successful
effort to initiate a "learn to sail" program for members and their
children. The inner basin boat slips were replaced and more floats
were added.
In 1992, we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery of
America by Christopher Columbus by hosting the Portuguese Tall Ship
Sagres II and her crew. We also had the U.S. Naval Academy Offshore
Racing team in attendance as well as visitors from Australia,
France, Great Britain and the Soviet Union. A huge barbecue was held
and not even the pouring rain could dampen the spirits of the
revelers.
In early December 1992, tragedy struck in the form of the most
severe Nor'easter to hit the New York area in the 60+ year history
of RCYC. The clubhouse had 14 inches of inches water in the lower
deck. Flooding, wind & equipment damage were extensive.
Under the leadership of Commodore Gerard Grande and with the staunch
support of many members, this catastrophe was turned into an
opportunity and during the 1993 year the clubhouse was completely
renovated. Not only was the beauty and function of the Clubhouse
improved, but also its safety. A Fire Department approved sprinkler
system was installed and an attempt to obtain a "certificate of
completion" for the building was made.
During the 1994 term of Commodore Thomas Renner, and with his active
participation, the renovations and improvements were completed and
the "C of C" was granted.
The year 2000 (Y2K) saw RCYC and Commodore
John Perno host the Op Sail-2000 celebration with over 300 members
and guests participating in the festivities of the new millennium.
One early fall afternoon in 2001 terrorists attacked the World Trade
Center on what is now known as 9/11. Then Commodore Red Jacobs had
the difficult duty to inform the BOG and membership that RCYC had
been directly impacted by the tragic events of 9/11 we had lost two
of our own on that fateful day, Stephen Fiorelli and Kenneth White.
Never forget In Memory of those lost on 9/11 on the one year
anniversary during September 2002 many RCYC members participated in
Sail for America under the leadership of Commodore Carl Peters.
During the 2005 season under Commodore TJ Matteo plans were put in
place for a New Mooring Barge, after 20 years of dependable service
the old barge had seen its useful life and was retired. The design
for a new barge was developed by PC Mark Peters. RCYC took delivery
of the new barge in January of the 2006 season.
By early 2006 it had become clear RCYC could no longer rely on the
fixed pier that provided the membership access to Great Kills Harbor
for so many years. The deck had reached the end of its useful life
and was in dire need of replacement. A team comprised of Long Range
Planning Chairman Robert Militello, Commodore Joe Meissner, Rear
Commodore Doug Olsen, Jesse and Ken Ottesen put together a program
for the Rehabilitation and Replacement of the Main Pier at RCYC.
This project carried right through to the 2007 season and by June of
2007a brand new deck of IPE hardwood, new electric and water
facilities were now in place for our slips and common space, this
was all topped of with tasteful hardwood benches made from jarrah an
Australian wood, located at the pavilion. The detailed planning and
teamwork of the volunteer members was evident in the finished
product.
Right from the start RCYC has always been a club involved in the
Sport of sailboat racing and in 2008 the tradition continued under
Commodore Pete Scalici. The J-24 US Nationals were held in the
waters of Raritan Bay and sponsored by the Richmond County Yacht
Club. A total of 54 J-24 teams descended on RCYC to compete in the
30th Anniversary Edition of the US Nationals. This event was
spearheaded by long time J-24 racer and J-24 Class President Paul
Scalisi, along with Regatta Chair Loretta Speranzo and Dan Speranzo.
The house and grounds were beautified and the entire RCYC operation
was ready for the crisp organization required to pull off an event
such as a National Championship. This regatta put RCYC on the
national map for J-24 excellence. The club was presented with an
official J-24 class flag and wooden burgee to commemorate the event.
2009 brings with it challenges for RCYC not seen in 80 years,
ironically in this the 80th anniversary season the economy is much
like it was when the club was incorporated in 1929. It is somewhat
ironic that the club is 80 years old and in 1929 at its inception as
the Richmond County Yacht Club the stock market crashed and the
great depression began. Many parallels can be drawn to today’s
circumstances. We are now entering 2009 amidst the greatest
financial crisis since the great depression; not the best of
circumstances for Yacht Clubs and boating in general. While some of
the circumstances of 1929 and 2009 are similar they are also quite
different in many respects. In 1929, one man was the driving force
behind the club, with a small group of racing sailors. Today we
still boast an energetic group of racing sailors, significantly
larger, and more diverse than in 1929. In addition, today we have
many other services and activities, including mooring services,
tender services, food service, multiple full service bars, junior
sailing, cruising, and many other activities for sailors, power
boaters and social members alike. Also we have a much broader and
knowledgeable leadership team, to rely on. They will guide us
through the next 80 years.
The future brings challenges in the form of mushrooming land
development surrounding us hut with wisdom and perseverance, the
challenge will be met to keep Richmond County Yacht Club a
stronghold of all that yachting and good sportsmanship represents.
The years then that have passed so swiftly can be seen from this
brief review to have been replete with outstanding accomplishment.
The Board of Governors and the Commodores of this period can be
justly proud of their attainments and the membership that elected
them likewise can share in the pride with pleasure.
