Name/Title
Saugatuck Yacht ClubEntry/Object ID
2023.50.27Scope and Content
A history of the club taken from the Saugatuck Yacht Club's "Little Year Book" for 1939 [to view original, see 2021.29.02]
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On a cold winter night in December, 1933, ten or twelve people met to consider the formation of an organization to promote boating in Saugatuck. Out of that meeting grew what is now known as the Saugatuck Yacht Club. Probably no one there that night realized in light of subsequent events, the significance of that meeting.
Before the evening was over Harry Fort had sketched a drawing of a sixteen foot sloop that eventually came to be known as the Papoose--the boat that has been the backbone of the club. He promised to draw up full plans for construction and five members of the group announced their intention of building. In a few weeks the club was officially launched with Bob Crawford elected Commodore and five boats were built under the watchful eye of Harry Fort.
Charter members of the club were: Bob, Louise, and Mrs. Evelyn Crawford, Heath Crow, Jean Simonson, Erwin Koning, John and Moffatt Bird, Jim, Joe and George Sheridan, Norman Force, Ed Force, Ole Johnson, L. H. Waugh and Bud Edgcomb.
Progress in construction carried on in Joe Wilson's building located where the cone shop now stands, and occupied rent free by the club, was facilitated by the fact that a great deal of the material used was sawed and planed free by Charlie Hiestand.
That spring the club was given a boat house then located at the foot of Griffith Street, by Mrs. Crawford, which was to be converted into a club house. Members moved it ashore that April and set it up on a foundation, but later that year it was moved to its present location and rebuilt there.
During the latter part of the summer of 1934 the club sponsored a dance at the Big Pavilion and benefited financially to a considerable extent. New members were rapidly coming in all that season.
Sheridan's "Cirrus," launched on July 21, 1934, was the first Papoose to hit the water, followed by Fort's "Ruth," a few weeks later. Atwood's "Dilly Drip," sometimes known as "Bottoms Up," built by Carl Bird was launched about the same time.
Racing in 1934 was conducted rather informally. Races were started off the Pavilion dock and were not regularly scheduled. Koning's "Ogemaw," one of the few boats on the lake before the club was organized was the most consistent winner of the year although "Dilly Drip," showed everyone her heels after she finally was commissioned. A Labor Day free far all was held in a driving rain after which most of the boats were laid up and club members turned to a long winter of planning and dreaming. Bob Crawford was re-elected Commodore and led the club through a very pleasant winter of parties and meetings. Some successful benefit dances were held before spring.
In 1935 things really began to click for the club. Cups were donated by Charles E. Atwood and F. R. Kasparek. New boats that year were Corlett's "Skip It," Crow and Simonson's "Nimbus," Atwood's "Sis," Anderson's "Zephyr," and Tibbs' "Mascot." Mary Burdick entered her "Ameroojen" for the first time. Racing was still held off the Pavilion dock but was regularly scheduled and divided into Saturday and Sunday divisions.
High lights of the season were the exchange skippers races with Macatawa Yacht Club both in Saugatuck and at Macatawa; completion and furnishing of the club house; and the big blow that capsized almost every boat at its mooring. The Quicks held their first party for the combined Saugatuck and Jackson Park clubs in July. The club made and set in channel markers in the Kalamazoo River to make it a little less difficult to navigate. This was to become an annual task.
"Skip It" was the bright star of the racing seasons winning both the Atwood and the Kasparek trophies. Abundance of new inexperienced skippers in 1935 soon filled the ranks of the Submarine Club.
The first annual dinner and presentation day was held that year on Labor Day at the club house. Social activities that next winter were somewhat curtailed but a number of pleasant meetings and parties were held. A benefit dance was also arranged at the high school. In the spring of 1936 the season opened early with most skippers getting in at least a month of practice racing before the Fourth of July.
Bob Crawford was again Commodore that year and the club was assured of even more interesting racing due to the entrance of the Lark class. Hungerford's "Vulture," Giller's "Bee Gee," Howard's "Flame," Rendell's "Dee Jay" and Dempster and Bekken's "Kit Kat" went into that class with the Kasparek cup being set up for the group. Webster Corlett donated a trophy for the Papoose class. For the first time racing was conducted off the club house dock and we enjoyed the convenience of the new flag pole given the club by the Atwoods. Haskins and Lorrimer's "Amigo Mia" was the only new Papoose that year.
That summer a very wet race Saugatuck to Macatawa was held with "Vulture," aided by a big bailing can, first across the line. New racing features of the season were lady skippers' races and some outside races. Parties at Atwood's and Quick's were greatly enjoyed during the summer.
Racing ended that year with some new names as trophy winners; "Nimbus" taking the Corlett trophy and "Ameroojen" as an easy winner in the Atwood series. Bob Crawford at this time relinquished his Commodoreship to Heath Crow after three years during which Bob had contributed much to the success of the club in the difficult formative period.
In 1937 the racing course was lengthened to its present size; this being made possible by the dredging of Kalamazoo Lake. New boats for the season were Spieth's "Hi Ho," Reid's "Whisk Away" and Thorby's "Cape Cod." Another Saugatuck to Macatawa race was held and a few outside contests. The weather was discouraging all summer with frequent flats followed by heavy days. In fact when Labor Day came it was necessary to run off a number of make up races -- in the race of a very strong norwester.. .
During that summer the club members attended the annual Quick party and participated in the Venetian night parade. Heath Crow was re-elected Commodore for another season at the regular election.
When the summer of 1938 rolled around it found some changes around the club house. A new dock had been built and the lawn had been sodded and landscaped. Through the generosity of Lawrence Lamb the club became the possessor of a land raft which added somewhat to the ease of docking. Frances Merrill's "Lazy Baby" was the only new boat.
Boats were slow in come out that season and very few were ready to go before July Fourth. Racing, however, was the closest and most interesting in the history of the club and genuine interest seemed higher than ever.
Spieth's "Hi-Ho" finally captured the Corlett trophy after much nip and tuck racing while "Nimbus" came through to win the Atwood run off in a finish such as had never before been seen. "Vulture" took the Lark trophy home for the third successive year. "Lazy Baby" after a close sail off with the "Ruth" clinched the Penfield consolation trophy. 1938 saw the establishment of a new class of 18 foot boats which was to include Mowers and Cape Cods. New Mowers were built by Mrs. Evelyn Crawford and Bob Crawford and Crow and Simonson began construction of number three. The highlight of the season was the simultaneous capsizing of five boats in a heavy squall and the subsequent thrilling rescue. At the annual election Mark Atwood was elected Commodore. In the fall a very successful land cruise was held at Saugatuck followed by one in Chicago.
--Jim Sheridan, RecorderContext
Detailed history of a Saugatuck institution that survives todayCollection
SDHS NL Inserts, Nautical, Clubs and social organizationsCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2023.50Acquisition Method
Found in CollectionNotes
SDHS Newsletter insert pages 57-59Location
* Untyped Location
Digital data in CatalogItRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Saugatuck Yacht Club, Fort, Robert "Harry" 1875-1954, Crawford, George Robert "Bob" 1913-1999, Crow, Morton H. "Heath" 1910-1976, Simonson, Earnest Jean 1916-1996, Koning, Erwin "Tony" L. 1911-2009, Bird, John Moffat 1899-1973, Bird, Moffat Putnam 1911-1993, Sheridan, James E. 1909-1996, Sheridan, Joseph U. 1906-1983, Sheridan, George Francis 1911-, Force, Norman, Force, Edward D. Jr. 1908-1972, Johnson, Ole, Waugh, Lloyd Hall "Doc" 1897-1955, Edgcomb, William Burdette "Bud" 1913-1980, Wilson, Joe, Hiestand, Charles Oliver 1885 -1962, Crawford, Evelyn (Wright) 1877-1966General Notes
Note
This information was OCR text scanned from SDHS newsletter supplements. A binder of original paper copies is catalog item 2023.50.01Create Date
November 8, 2023Update Date
June 18, 2024
