New York Yacht Club

The New York Yacht Club (NYYC) is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. As of 2001, the organization was reported to have about 3,000 members.[1] Membership in the club is by invitation only. Its officers include a commodore, vice-commodore, rear-commodore, secretary and treasurer.

New York Yacht Club
Short nameNYYC
FoundedJuly 30, 1844 (1844-07-30)
Location
Websitewww.nyyc.org

The America's Cup trophy was won by members in 1851 and held by the NYYC until 1983. The NYYC successfully defended the trophy twenty-four times in a row before being defeated by the Royal Perth Yacht Club, represented by the yacht Australia II. The NYYC's reign was the longest winning streak as measured by years in the history of all sports.[2]

The NYYC has entered 2021 America's Cup under the syndicate name American Magic.[3]

Clubhouses
New York Yacht Club
New York Clubhouse, 37 W. 44th St.
LocationNew York, New York
Coordinates40.7556°N 73.9816°W / 40.7556; -73.9816
Built1899
ArchitectWhitney Warren; Warren & Wetmore
Architectural styleBeaux Arts, Other
NRHP reference No.82001203
Significant dates
Added to NRHPOctober 29, 1982[4]
Designated NHLMay 28, 1987[5]
Designated NYCLSeptember 11, 1979
Harbour Court - New York Yacht Club

In 1845, the club's first clubhouse was established — a modest, Gothic-revival building in Hoboken, New Jersey, on land donated by Commodore John Cox Stevens. After outgrowing its cramped quarters, the club moved to several other locations, including Staten Island, Glen Cove, New York and Mystic, Connecticut.

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, the clubhouse was designed by Warren and Wetmore (1898), architects of the exterior of Grand Central Terminal.[6] The centerpiece of the clubhouse is the "Model Room", which contains a notable collection of full and half hull models including a scale model history of all New York Yacht Club America's Cup challenges. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.[5][7][8]

In addition to its Manhattan headquarters, located inland, the club maintains "Harbour Court", a clubhouse opened in 1988 on the water in Newport.

History
New York Yacht Club House, 1901
The Yacht 'America' Winning the International Race, 1851, Fitz Henry 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 sports, was elected commodore. John Clarkson Jay of Rye, one of the nine founders, was a grandson of Founding Father John Jay and served as the first Secretary of the board.[9] George L. Schuyler and Hamilton Wilkes were also NYYC founders who, 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 burgee was designed. 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 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 until this day.

In 1865, the Club was incorporated, adopting the Latin motto: "Nos agimur tumidis velis" -- "We go with swelling sails" (adapted from the verse of the famous Roman poet Horace, "Non agimur tumidis uelis", "We do not go with swelling sails", in Epistles, 2, 2, 201). During this time, membership transitioned from the "old guard" to a new generation of yachtsmen, who built large schooner yachts captained by professionals. Marking this evolution was the 1866 resignation of Commodore Edwin Augustus Stevens, brother of founder John Cox Stevens and member of the America syndicate.

"New York Yacht Club motto - Nos Agimur Tumidis Velis"
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 21-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 centerboard 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. The Mohawk was later sold to the U.S. Navy and recommissioned as the U.S. Eagre.

New York Yacht Club Stations circa 1894

By 1894, the New York Yacht Club had a number of Clubhouses: Station 1 in Bay Ridge; 2 in New York NY; 3 in Whitestone NY; 4 in New London, Connecticut; 5 in Shelter Island, New York; 6 in Newport RI; 7 in Vineyard Haven and at Rendezvous Glen Cove. In 1868, the club bought a big mansion used as Station 2 at Rosebank, Staten Island. This building still stands and is known as the Macfarlane Bredt House.

  • Clubhouse "Station No. 1" of the New York Yacht Club c 1894 at Bay Ridge
  • Clubhouse "Station No. 3" of the New York Yacht Club c 1894 at Whitestone, NY
  • Clubhouse "Station No. 4" of the New York Yacht Club c 1894 at New London, Conn
  • Clubhouse "Station No. 5" of the New York Yacht Club c 1894 at Shelter Island, NY
  • Clubhouse "Station No. 6" of the New York Yacht Club c. 1890s at Newport, RI
  • Clubhouse "Station No. 7" of the New York Yacht Club c 1894 at Vineyard Haven, Mass
  • Clubhouse of the New York Yacht Club c 1894 at Rendezvous Glen Cove

In 1895, Richard H. Barker composed 'The yacht club march: march and two-step: for piano' in honour of the New York Yacht Club.[10]

In 1994, as part of the Club's 150th celebrations, Melissa H. Harrington wrote 'The New York Yacht Club, 1844-1994,' [11]

Racing & The America's Cup

Following the disastrous Bay of Quinte America's Cup challenge in 1881, the Club's committee voted a new rule to govern its races:[12]

The America's Cup challenges of 1885, 1886 and 1887 used this rule with an 85 ft (25.91 m) waterline length limit. In 1887, the NYYC adopted the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club's rating rule, which handicapped length comparatively less. Then, in 1903, the NYYC changed its rating system to the "Herreshoff Rule", devised by the yacht designer, Nathanael Herreshoff. Later renamed the "Universal Rule", it would be adopted by the majority of leading American yacht clubs. The rule governed yacht design for almost forty years.

The America's Cup was held for 132 years, from 1851 until Australia II defeated Dennis Conner's Liberty off Newport, Rhode Island in 1983. 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 become involved in team racing, dinghy racing, youth sailing, and 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.[13]

The NYYC will enter 2021 America's Cup, under the syndicate name American Magic, with a team led by Terry Hutchinson and Bella Mente Quantum Racing Association. In May 2018, it was announced that Dean Barker will helm the boat.[14] "American Magic" references the first Cup winner, the yacht America, and the first defender, the yacht Magic.[15]

Regattas
Engraving of spectators watching the annual regatta, late 19th century
  • 2005 Rolex Transatlantic Challenge
  • "New York Yacht Club Cruise", an annual series of races held in July or August
  • "Annual Regatta", started in 1846
  • "Queen's Cup Trophy"
  • "12-metre Worlds"
  • "Una Cup"
  • "Corsair Cup"
  • "Astor Cups"
  • "Solution Trophy
  • Invitational Cup

Notable members
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See also

References
  1. Landlocked Berth for Boat Lovers; New York Yacht Club Spruces Up Its Grand Home And Finds It Can Thrive Without America's Cup, James Barron, The New York Times, 03 Feb 2001, "The effort to add fresh blood to the blue blood has increased the roster to about 3,000 members."
  2. John Rousmaniere (1983). The America's Cup 1851–1983. Pelham Books. ISBN 978-0-7207-1503-3.
  3. https://nyyc.org/news/-/blogs/campaign-for-36th-america-s-cup-pairs-two-successful-american-racing-programs-with-new-york-yacht-club?_33_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fnyyc.org%2Fnews%3Fp_p_id%3D33%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-2%26p_p_col_pos%3D1%26p_p_col_count%3D2
  4. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
  5. "New York Yacht Club". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. 2007-09-17. Archived from the original on 2008-01-06.
  6. http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/architects/view/310 Whitney Warren Dictionary of Architects in Canada
  7. ""New York Yacht Club", October 1985, by James H. Charleston". National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination. National Park Service. October 1985.
  8. "New York Yacht Club--Accompanying photo, exterior, undated". National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination. National Park Service. October 1985.
  9. Clary, Suzanne. "A Legacy of Sailing: Owners of the Jay Estate & Yachting in New York 1843 - 1966". Rye Magazine: Weston Magazine, Inc. (38): 244. Retrieved January 2, 2016 – via issuu.
  10. Richard H. Barker 'The yacht club march: march and two-step: for piano' (Toronto : Whaley, Royce & Co., c1895)
  11. Melissa H. Harrington The New York Yacht Club, 1844-1994 (Lyme, Conn.: Greenwich Pub. Group, 1994)
  12. Thomas W. Lawson (1902). The Lawson history of the America's Cup. ISBN 978-0-907069-40-9.
  13. Hargraves, Carly (January 30, 2006). "2006 IFDS Blind Sailing World Championships - Yachting Australia". www.yachting.org.au. Yachting Australia. Archived from the original on October 6, 2015. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  14. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/103545664/Dean-Barker-leads-Kiwi-quartet-as-helmsman-for-New-Yorks-2021-Americas-Cup-bid
  15. Alan Baldwin (27 March 2018). Ed Osmond (ed.). "Sailing: 'American Magic' to challenge for 2021 America's Cup". Reuters.
  16. "Frank F. Olney". The American Journal of Philately. New York, NY: The Scott Stamp and Coin Co: 353. 1 Oct 1903. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  17. Homans, James E., ed. (1918). The Cyclopedia of American Biography. The Press Association Compilers. pp. 299–300.
  • New York Yacht Club by New York Yacht Club and Rarebooksclub.com (Mar 4 2012) ISBN 1130831000
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