The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-01-04
MYRTLE
MAT TIERS
Past Career Of the
Pioneer Boat
Club.

The Myrtle Boat Club was organize,
on the 5th day OF February 1883. Thi
was the first regularly organized boa
club in these Islands. Up to that tim'
the aquatic events here had been par
ticipated in principally by the crews o
his late Majesty Kalakaua and of sucl
r1en-of-war, American and English, a.
passed through here from time to time
and were enlivened occasionally by do
4 nestle aspirants for the honors.
4 The Myrtle Club was an unpreten'
d tIous organization. The original mem
bership was only seven. and the cluf
had. to start with. only one boat. the
renowned four-oared gig Red. White
and Blue
Since the organization OF this club
various competitors have gone down
before the champions except the pres
ent Healani Yacht and Boat Club.
The first sliding boat race ever
rOwed IN Hawaiian waters was rowed
on the late Kings birthday. November
16. 1854 There were FIVE starters over
the three and a half mile course The
race was rowed in six-oared barges
The Nyrtles won In a glorious finish
the now defunct "Honolulus' were Il
close second. the "Kapiolanis" third.
and two of the Kings crews respec-
lively fourth and fifth. There has not
been such another race rowed in Ho-
noluiu harbor since. and the subsequent
success OF the Myrtle Club is due large
ly to its great victory in 1884.
The names of those who took part I'm
that memorable race are worth noting.
In the Myrtle boat sat Oscar Branch,
Harry Robinson, Fred Wundenberg,
Charley Purdy, Alex. Lyle and Jim
Savidge. In the Honolulu crew were
Wilcott Morse, George Markham, Hay
Wodehouse, John Holt, Jack Dowsett
and Harry Whitney. The Kapiolani
crew. nick-named THE Fenians," twas
composed of six stalwart Irishmen
under the management of the genial
Larry Dee. The Kings crews were
trained by the redoubtable Robert
Parker. The Myrtle's record in that
race over the bell buoy course. % min
utes and 20 seconds, has never been
beaten
The Honolulu Yacht and Boat Club
which for a while gave such great
promise as competitor for aquatic
konors. went out OF business in 1890.
" In the mean time the Eclipse Boat
fCIub" had sprung into existence and
had been absorbed by the conquering
Dyrtles.
Kalakaua died In 1891, and with his
demise ended the regular regattas that
had for so many years taken place on
his birthday anniversaries.
The first "Healani' club arose out OF
the ashes OF the old "Honolulus." and
IL Is due largely to the competition OF
that club that the Myrtles survived
period OF stagnation and still live to
tell the tale OF many glorious victories
as well as OF several hard fought de-
feats. During these many years the
Myrtle club has even been to the front
I'm the development of rowing In this
community. being a living witness of
the evolution OF boat rowing In these
waters, as the heavy stationary seat
gig gave way to the siiding-seat barge.
which has in turn developed into the
up-to-date racing shell.
The present chief competitor of the
Nyrties is the Healani Club. which was
reOrganized con a new basis in 1895
under the name of the Healani Yacht
and Boat Club. and this new club has
beyond question proved to be the most
vigorous antagonist that the Myrtle5
have had to contend with.
The first boat house OF. the Myrtle
Club was situated on the waters edge
at the foot of AIakea street above the
Pacific Mail wharf at a point now far
inland; subsequently a larger house
was built on the present site OF the
clubs quarters at Kakaako. The house,
which has since been enlarged. and
which has been the scene Of SO many
Jolly festivities is about to be removed
to point Stewards of the channel
wharf, where with fine view OF ocean
and mountain and beautifully clean
bathing. the members will enjoy them
selves and entertain their friends in
renovated and more cOmmOGious quar-
ters.
The record of the Myrtle Boat Club
q one that any organization might well
q proud OF. out of fifty-one races that
Ne club has rowed against all corners
Vince it's organization. IL counts thirty
five victories and fifteen defeats, one
rece having been declared of"
The total membership is now nearly
900. AS an exponent OF honest sport
and a promoter OF healthful exercise
the club has been a factor for good of
no small Importance in this community.
The present officers of the club are:
President, A. G. NJ. Robertson; vice
president. A. Perry; secretary. j. +.
soper; treasurer. Charles Crane; cap
tain tacting). w. W. Harris; auditor, ,
g. S. Harris. Jr.: trustees, A. a. Wild
er and w. H. Soper.
synopsis Of the history of the club q
would be Incomplete without making 7
ipecial mention OF the great strokes" ,
Nat have made the Myrtles famous as
Finners of races; notable among them
are, Oscar Branch, Alfred Carter. Olaf q
sorenson and Willie Lyle; and Of the i
ciub'S captains. to whose patriotic and a
thorough work the club largely owes
pts present prestige. In the latter list
no ti...i d