The History of Shrewsbury Sailing & Yacht Club
Update Continues...
We have begun the process of updating this section, but the Web Bosun continues to welcome any old photos of the club, past or current members, special events or your "memorable moments" in club history.
Please contact the Commodore or any member of the Board if you are interested (of course, we can make a digital copy and return your original).
2008 Clubhouse and Deck Repairs Take us Forward
Spring 2008 saw the repair of our pilings and deck, last undertaken in 1988. Thanks to the Long Range Planning Committee, Board of Governors and the Building Committee of Mike Lyttle, Bob DeSantis, Bob Kelly, PC, Gordon Milnes & Bernie Dowd.
Clubhouse 1980's
Clubhouse 2008
2008 Opening Reception - Founders Honored but the Honor is Really Ours
May
24, 2008- It was a glorious night at SSYC. The wind lightened,
the sun broke through the clouds, Brother Mac Barnes blessed
our fleets and sailors, we gave thanks for another year of wonderful
sailing - and we gave thanks to a very special group of individuals.
Joining us to celebrate our opening evening and receive our thanks
were PC Ed Ryan, Norman Walsh, Thelma Johnson, Margaret Throckmorton
Hembling and the Honorable William Throckmorton. It was an amazing
sight to see five individuals so much a part of our history gathered
together on our deck. After Brother Mac's blessing, the flag
officers, led by Commodore Paul Clauss and assisted by, VC Leighton
Waters, RC Mike Lyttle plus PC's Bill Van Winkle and Jeff Jacobi,
dedicated a plaque to hang in the clubhouse recognizing the founders
and their efforts on our behalf. The ceremony concluded with
the membership awarding life memberships to Ms. Thelma Johnson,
Judge William Throckmorton and Mr. Norman Walsh who now join
founders PC Ed Ryan and Margaret Hembling in the Life Member
category. Congratulations and welcome to all of our founders
and our thanks for your foresight 72 seasons ago.
1937 - Some of Our Founders
The
photos are of Warren Ayers, James Rue Campbell & Bill Davis
on the Dolphin with a circa date of 1940. After these photos
were posted on the SSYC web site we heard from Jim Campbell,
James Rue Campbell's son. Jim believes the photos are from 1937
or 1938 as the Campbells moved to Philadelphia in 1939 and then
to New York City in late 1940 or early 1941.
During this time the Dolphin remained in NJ under the care of Byron Briggs. Because of the logistics involved with commuting to the shore for the weekend from either Phila or NYC with an infant (Jim), it was rarely used in 1940 and most likely not in racing condition.
Jim also reports that during the war his Dad sailed the Dolphin from SSYC to Little Neck Bay on western Long Island Sound.
Dateline Unknown - 6 Time U.S. Sailing Adams Cup Champion June
Methot
For years the rumors of Lightnings being raced on the South Shrewsbury have been heard here and there. Well, here you have it...proof in the form of the 6 time U.S. Sailing Adams Cup Champion June Methot gearing up for competition with her crew Howard Hathaway (cockpit) and Bob Wood (on the deck). Thanks to Les Hathaway for the historic photo!
1999 - Team SSYC Wins the " International Sandbagger"
1999 - Team SSYC Wins the " International
Sandbagger" Regatta held in New York Harbor, under
the auspices of Manhattan Yacht Club and Commodore Michael Fortenbaugh.
In this photo, Team SSYC consisting of Michael Lyttle, David
Whittle, Jeff Jacobi, John Whittle, John Garth, Talbott Ingram,
Lazslo Potyondy, Bill Knowlton, Lee Ingram, John Costanzo & Skipper
Stuart Van Winkle narrowly lead the Dutch Team "Koninklijke
Loosdrecht Yacht Club" around the windward mark.
SSYC went on to win 2 - 0 in the best of 3 series for the first time the historic event had been run in over 100 years. Sandbaggers are seriously "over canvassed" boats that will capsize on a moments notice, and had been at the pinnacle of Yacht Racing until the turn of the century, when new rules were made by the United States Yacht Racing Union - now U.S. Sailing - which prohibited "wagering" AKA "gambling " and "moveable ballast." These rules hold true today. Sandbaggers were eventually outlawed and considered "extreme and dangerous." These wonderful Sandbagger replicas, the "Bull" & the "Bear" were commissioned, funded, and built through the generosity of Peter Kellog of Mantoloking Yacht Club.
The 1970's
Photo
on Right: When Dr. Whittle's "SYLPH" was not racing
to Bermuda, many junior sailors got their adrenalin rush in the
70's from "spinnaker flying". This was one of the first "extreme
sports"!
Photo below: Sal Costanzo, past recipient of the Sportsmanship Award, was well known to all for his uncompromising and unrelenting interest in helping run the races every week for many years.
The 1960's
Here's a shot of the club as captured from the air in July of
1961.
Here's a shot as captured from the Internet in 2008, taken winter
2006.
