The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-05-24

SAILORS FOR SPORT.
The New Jersey Yacht Clubs
History Briefly
Sketched.
IT'S HISTORIC CLUB HOUSE
Prosperity Follows the Club and
This Year Finds 1t in
Good Form.
IFS HISTORIC CLUB HOUSE


Situated on slope near the rive RS
edge at the foot Of Tenth street, in Ho'
hoken, is probably the Oldest boat club
house in the United States. Away back
IN the flfties, when Hobokcu was mere
village, the club house was erected by
the New York Yacht Club. Later the
New York Yacht Club vacated the house
and the Hcboken Yacht Club was in
stalled there until 1871, when the club
moved 70 Tottenyille. Staten Island.
It was in the month Of August, 1871, that
the New Jersey Yacht Club was founded,
ana since 1876 the club has occupied the
old club house, and from present indica-
lions will continue to occupy it for many
years to come. The success of the New
Jersey Yacht Club has been meteoric'
From a small beginning the club has
come to be recognized as one OF the lead
ing yacht clubs of the country.
FROM SMALL BEGINNING.
In 1871 Il. l. Morton, Edward w.
Ketcham aud several other Leading
citizens OF Hoboken, who took especial
delight in aquatic sports. met 10 dingy
room on Washington street. There were
lust fifteen present, and the club that
subsequently had snch asuccessful career
was organized.
IT, Z. Morton was unanimously chosen
Commodore, and at the foot of Hudson
Square Park was built q club house.
Every one Of the fifteen members was a
true sportsman. and took such an interest
III affaits of the club that it soon began to
be recognized. Among the flyers belong
inn TO the club at that time were the
Dexter. Scratch Cat, Ermine, Ripple,
Hope, Rover. Eugene, Emily. Neptune.
Sophia, Charm, Julia, Winnie, Kate. Eva,
SnislV. Jessie. Frolfc and Daniel Doe.
Some ot these old flyers are yet able 20 do
duty.
The clubs first regatta was in june
1872 and was very successful. The fol-
lowing year e. W. Ketcham was elected
Commodore and under his judicious
leadership the club increased in member-
ship.
The club moved into its present quar-
tiers In November, 1876. BY this time it
had become one Of the leading clubs on
the river Several wealthy men OF Ho-
boken joined the club and its regattas
were always looked forward 20 with a
great deal of interest Regattas We're
other in September. The races were very
we'll attended and q great deal of excite
nent prevailed
The following have been Commodores
Of the club since its formation;-E. T..
Morton. Edward w. keteham, Theodore
II. Rogers, William a.. Dilworth. Arnold
Jeanneret, john II. Longstreet, w. IL.
Dilworth, Henry +. Ogden, Edwin A.
Stevens James b. Scott and the present
Commodore, John Ortleib.
ITS TRAGEDY.
The only incident that has marred the
brilliant reign Of the club was the tragic
end OF the first Commodore OF the club,
and one of the most enthusiastic yachts
men. 4. &. Morton. At the clubs fall
regatta in 1874 he met his death. Morton,
William Shipper, William Schroeder, and
another member of the club were set,
winning with the racing feet to the club
house IN the car boat Julia. It was just
about dusk, and the boat was right be.
isinsf d tow OF canal boats cH Payonis
ferry on the Jersey shore.
The ferryboat James Fiske was making
her slip. The pilot did not see the sail
boat aud as the the canal boat tow passed
the ferryboat bore down ON the small sail
boat with its living freight. AS the occu.
pants Of The sail boat saw the ferryboai
they attempted to make quick tack, but
did not succeed.
Schroeder jumped overheard and was
hit by the paddle wheel Of the ferryboat,
hut was not badly enough injured TO pre-
vent him from keeping afloat until picked
up by a passing tug. Shipper and the
other occupant of the sail boat also
Jumped overheard and were picked up,
but Morton remained on the sail boat and
tried to save it, He was struck in the
back Of the head by the ponderous paddle
wheel and Instantly killed. His death
was a severe blow to the club.
MORE PROSPEROUS THAN EVER.
This year the club is perhaps
in more prosperous condition than ever
before. There are seyenty-seyen members
and although all the clubs that formerly
lined the River Walk have had to give
way on account of the large docks thai
have been built the New Jersey Club will
remain where it Is.
The Meyers Excursion Company have
leased the water water front directly op
posite The club house. This necessitaseE
Inc clubs building basin, the work OF
which will be begun at once. The excur
sion company has 4l0 feet front The
clubs new basiu will be south of that and
Will be 1850 by rs feet. The basin is equal
IL not superior to the basin Of any club on
the North River.
FOLLOWERS OF THE RED BURGESS
The clubs signal is a red swallow tai
burgee with white diamond centre The
Commodore flies a blue flag and the Vice
Commodore a red anchor with white dia
mond centre. One of the most popular
aud pains taking mem ber5 of the club il
George Garland, young disciple Of
blackstone.
The members of the club wanted him as
their Commodore at one time, but George
mcdestly declined the honor. On June
is the club will hold its annual regatta.
II promises to be the most successful the
club has ever had. Thirty-ive boats are
entered.
Some OF the boats Commodore
Qrtlieb's flagship, Henry GRAY; Phantom,
William Faas; Vixen, Dreten and
GROWER, James Bell; Charm, f. S
Ketcham; Eagle Wing and ex-Commo
dore Scott.
- TAT nITE lnn nlrnr