New York Yacht Club

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New York Yacht Club burgee

The New York Yacht Club is a private yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It is one of the world's most distinguished and influential yachting institutions, and many members, past and present, have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design.

Founded in 1844, and incorporated in 1865, the organization currently has over 3,000 members. Its officers include a Commodore, vice-commodore, rear-commodore, secretary and treasurer. Its primary clubhouse is a six-storied Beaux-Arts landmark with a nautical-themed limestone facade, located at 37 West 44th Street in midtown Manhattan. Opened in 1901, it was designed by Warren and Wetmore, architects of the exterior of Grand Central Terminal. The centerpiece of the clubhouse is the "Model Room," which contains the world's largest collection of full and half hull models. In addition to its landlocked Manhattan headquarters, the club maintains "Harbour Court," a clubhouse opened in 1988 on the water in Newport.

1 History
2 Recent History
3 Regattas
4 External links

[edit] History

Yacht America, an engraving by O.W. Brierky, based on a painting by Fitz Hugh Lane

The New York Yacht Club was founded on July 30, 1844 by nine gentlemen. John Cox Stevens, the leader of this group, and a prominent citizen of New York with a passion for sport, was elected commodore. In addition to his sailing activities, Stevens once served as president of the Jockey Club, and owned the noted racing horse, "Eclipse." He was also a founding member of New York’s oldest gentlemen’s society, the Union Club. George L. Schuyler and Hamilton Wilkes were also NYYC founders that, together with Stevens and two others, created the syndicate that built and raced the great schooner-yacht, America. Wilkes served as the club’s first vice-commodore. Schuyler played a key role in the founding of the America's Cup regatta, and served as its unofficial consultant until his death in 1890.

In 1845, the club’s famous burgee was designed, and its first clubhouse was established -- a modest, Gothic-revival building in Hoboken, New Jersey, on land donated by Commodore Stevens. After the club outgrew the little building, it moved to various locations, including Glen Cove, New York and Mystic, Connecticut, before reaching its current Newport location on the grounds of "Harbour Court." The waters off Newport have been a key sailing venue for the NYYC since the beginning of its history. Indeed, the day the club was founded in 1844, its members resolved to sail from the Battery to Newport. Two days later they did, with several stops on the way, and trials of speed.

During the first decades of the club's history, racing for prize money was the primary objective among most members. In 1851, a syndicate of NYYC enthusiasts built and raced America, capturing the "One Hundred Sovereign Cup" at the annual regatta of the Royal Yacht Squadron. On July 8, 1857, the coveted trophy was donated to the NYYC, to serve as a challenge cup for sportsmanlike competition between nations. The "America's Cup Race," named for its first winner, played a central role in the history of the club.

In 1865, the Club was incorporated, adopting the motto: "Nos agimur tumidis velis" -- "We go with swelling sails." During this time, membership transformed from the "old guard" to a new generation of yachtsmen, who built large schooner yachts captained by professionals. Marking this transition was the resignation of Commodore Edwin A. Stevens in 1866. Stevens was a brother of founder John Cox Stevens and member of the America syndicate.

The Great Ocean Yacht Race Between Henrietta, Fleetwing & Vesta, by Currier & Ives in 1867

The year 1866 is remembered in club annals for the legendary "Transatlantic Race." In December, the NYYC schooners Henrietta, Fleetwing, and Vesta raced from Sandy Hook to the Needles, Isle of Wight for a $90,000 winner-take-all prize. The Henrietta, owned by twenty-one-year old James Gordon Bennett, Jr., and skippered by Captain Samuel S. Samuels, a professional, won the race in 13 days, 21 hours and 55 minutes. Bennett would be elected commodore in 1871.

In 1876, the Mohawk, a large centre-board schooner, capsized due to its sheets being "made fast" (fastened securely) when a freak squall struck. Vice-Commodore William T. Garner, his wife and crew died in the accident. It is believed that this tragedy led to the extinction of the great centerboard schooner yachts.

In 1889, the NYYC adopted the "Seawanhaka Rule," a yacht-racing rating system which remained in effect for nearly twenty years. The "Seawanhaka Rule" was the result of colloboration between the NYYC and Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club of Oyster Bay. Then, in 1902, the NYYC changed its rating system to the "Herreshoff Rule," devised by the illustrious yacht designer, Nathanael Herreshoff. Later re-named the "Universal Rule," it would be adopted by the majority of leading American yacht clubs. The rule governed yacht design for almost forty years.

[edit] Recent History

NYYC held the America's Cup for 132 years, until Australia II defeated Dennis Conner's Liberty off of Newport, Rhode Island. This record remains the longest winning streak in sports history.

Since the loss of the Cup the NYYC has been forced to reinvent itself and the Club has gotten involved in team racing, dinghy racing, youth sailing, and numerous international regattas. In 2002 the Club hosted the Intercollegiate Sailing Association Sloop North American Championships. In 2006 the Club hosted the Blind Sailing World Championships. These are only a few of the events the NYYC has been involved with.