|
|
History
MID-HUDSON
POWER SQUADRON
By P/C Victor E. Grover, JN
(written for 25th Anniversary in 1951)
|
|
|
|
|
Original 1926 Charter
|
|
|
|
In the early months of 1926, Frederick L. Reid of Stamford,
Conn., was operating a battery business in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. His
business often took him to New York City where many of his
acquaintances were Power Squadron members. It was natural for
him while in Poughkeepsie to think of Squadron work and what it
could do for yachtsmen in the Mid-Hudson valley. Getting together
some boat-minded friends, 11 in all, they organized the Mid-Hudson
Power Squadron. They were granted a charter dated June 26, 1926.
Mr. Reid was elected first Commander, and Mr. David P. Lane was
elected Lieutenant Commander.
Early members were for the most part cruiser owners and
members of the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club. They became keenly
interested in Squadron classes and Mr. Reid was their first instructor.
Mr. Lane recalls the first year of organization - 'We very proudly
flew the Squadron ensign. My own boat at the time had no mast and
the question arose 'where fly the Squadron ensign?' At first we
compromised and flew both Squadron and Yacht club flags from the
jack staff together. Later, we alternated and then I installed a mast
and flew the Squadron ensign from the starboard yard arm."
In the early days very few yachtsmen from the Mid-Hudson
area sailed as far away as Long Island Sound and Lake Champlain.
Cruising was confined mostly to local waters and members
considered themselves real honest-to-goodness sailors. As for early
classes in advanced courses, a member had to be a mathematician to
carry on. It is no wonder that Prof. Henry White of Vassar College,
noted Math. teacher, was such a popular squadron teacher.
During the year 1931 Mr. Reid became National Commander of
U.S.P.S.
Mid-Hudson Squadron has never been interested in forming a
large membership. Stress has always been on a small but interested
group of active members. Keep members active-has been our goal.
Like many other Squadrons some members come long distances,
some up to 50 miles, to attend monthly meetings and weekly classes.
It has been our ambition to teach the Squadron piloting course to
everyone interested in boating and to conduct classes for our
members who are interested in the more advanced Squadron courses.
Mid-Hudson members are from among many trades and professions
and have been loyal, ambitious, and unselfish. They have given of
much time, money and personal sacrifice to help each other when
given the opportunity, over the years. The writer dares say that this
cooperative effort is stronger today than at any time in our history-a
healthy sign.
Some of our early members deserving special mention who
helped with organization and class work in addition to Mr. Reid, Mr.
Lane and Mr. Richards, are Tom Parker, Dick Perkins, Prof. Henrv
White of Vassar College, Dr. H. P. Carpenter and Howard
Sherwood. Following a little later, were such fine instructors and
students as Dr. T. M. Proctor, Lansing Lockwood, Russ Lent, Dr. F.
C. Shaw, Rev. T. E. Kaminski, Beverly Fredendall, Larry
Fitzgibbons and Ben Rhymer-and-today, such men as Lou Sweeny,
Carl Fritz, john Mawhinney, and Ralph DeLano.
The prosperity and growth of any organization is dependent to a
great extent on its leaders and Mid-Hudson Commanders and
officers have done an excellent job in carrying on Squadron
traditions.
Past Commander Russell W. Lent in 1938 moved to Buffalo, N.
Y. and was instrumental in forming the present Buffalo Power
Squadron. Dr. F. C. Shaw in 1949 was transferred to Dannemora, N.
Y., and organized the Champlain Power Squadron. P/C Lansing
Lockwood was Commander of District No.2 in 1948.
Mid-Hudson members have been interested in both power and
sail on the Hudson River and they are currently supporting such
organizations as The American Yachting Association, The National
Outboard Association, Cruising Club of America, Long Island Sound
Yacht Racing Association, The Lightning Class Association (fleet
No. 39). Seven members have owned Lightnings. Yacht clubs
represented by our members include Poughkeepsie, Kingston,
Rondout, Newburgh, Marlboro, Albany, Chelsea, Hudson River
State Hospital, Half Moon, Cornwall, Kingston Power Boat
Association, Pirate Canoe Club, Orange Lake Ice Yacht Association,
and City Island Yacht Club. Present members now acting
Commodores are: Dr. C. S. McWilliam of Newburgh Yacht club;
Elmer Van Name of Chelsea Yacht Club; Roger Reardon of
Kingston Power Boat Association and C. H. Ware of Cornwall
Yacht Club.
During World War II, all branches of the Service were
represented by Mid-Hudson members. The tales told by various
members following the war confirms the fact that they fought in
every theatre of the war and deserve our deep gratitude and
appreciation.
New York State has at last recognized the greatness and
grandeur of the mighty Hudson at just about its navigable center, and
a large sum is being expended this year to create an adequate Boat
Basin at Norrie Park, 6 miles north of the Mid-Hudson Bridge. This
Basin will do great things for the Hudson River, and its boat lovers
both large and small. We of Mid-Hudson are fortunate to be entering
into a new era of boating activity and we shall make the most of our
new opportunities to help others enjoy this grand old river.
|
|
|
