Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-24
Power Boating in Washington Experiences Its Biggest

fishing port, where Mr.. Hammonds
Summer home is located. The hne
yacht, which cost about $4,000. car.
ries 400 horsepower on twin screws
and has an average cruising speed OF
20 miles an hour, with a maximum OF
80 miles. -.-.-. .-.-..r
Capt. George Hamor, skipper Of the
Ojai, for many years was in charge
Of a commercial steam trawler which
hshed regularly on the Grand Banks.
In the dawn days Of motor boating
around Washington, novitiate yachts
men mastered the mysteries OF naYi.
CATION by the traditional "cut and try"
system of self.tutored education. With
the inception Of the remarkable Power
Squadron, Incorporated. the pet hob.
by of Franklin Roosevelt, which he
matured into a successful realty.
Washington yachtsmen had an oppor.
tunity to go to night school on land .
to learn about the fundamentals OF
handling a boat at sea. The Power
Squadron plan was designed for
schooling yachtsmen in time OF peace.
so that they might assist in national
defense through their knowledge OF
navigation during the emergencies OF
war.
$50
THE power boat lectures In Wash
ington last Winter were held In
the Medical Building Of George WASH
ington University in the evening. az
a time when amateur yachtsmen. free
from business duties, had time to at
tend. Experienced yachtsmen gave
detailed lectures on all the fundamen'
tai points of navigation, how to han
die boats in every possible way. now
to read the compass and correct err
he oh
regularly by the United States Coast
and Geodetic Survey for the use or
pleasure cruisers, A B Cs or marine
ensineering, fire.control measures ana
methods, primary facts about marine
insurance and complete Information
about the rules Of seafaring roads.
This novel school for citizen sailors
has been remarkably efticient IN ex-
tending nautical knowledge amonE
the yachtsmen in Washington ana an
other cities where a local chapter or the
power Squadron, Incorporated Is MAIN
tanned. An enthusiast can become
very proficient navigator In one sea-
son If he will apply what he learns
in this boating college" which OF
fers free instruction. 1... g.
Yachtsmen do not need licenses
to operate their power boats on
the Potomac and in Chesapeake Bay.
They do not have to pass .drtv.
ing tests, such as the motoring new.
conner has 10 undergo. All that Is
Necessary is to register the boat with
the Department Of Commerce.. which
supervises navigation on inland and
coastal waterways. Uncle Sam as.
signs an identification number to
each registered craft, this number
being displayed in a prominent posi-.
ton like an automobile tag. ..~.. - +,
There are professional boat yards
along the Washington water front
where new boats are built to special
order and specifications, while old
craft are brought into dry dock and re.
paired and ref1tted for future service.
Local yachtsmen also purchase their
craft from boatbuilders at Annapolis,
Solomons Island, the West River and
other yards on Chesapeake Bay.
Washington will make it's second
plunge into the field of power boat
racing in September. when another
national regatta, In which the pre-
eminent racing yachts from all parts
Of the country will compete, will be
| held on, the Potomac course directly
| opposite East Potomac Park.
The Corinthian Yacht Club deserves
particular credit for its activity in in.
| Producing this spectacular sport here.
The current officers Of the Capital
Yacht Club are: r. 8. Doyle, commo.
dore; c. r. Denley, vice commodore:
Collingwood Sanborn, secretary.treaS-
urer and club manager; L. r. Hewins.
measurer; c. P. Neill, fleet captain,
and T. E. Latimer. feet surgeon.
c. G. Smith Is commodore of the
Corinthian Yacht Club. and is assisted
in the offfcial management of that or
| ganization by w. A. Rodgers, vice
commodore; e. w. Briggs, rear com.
| modore: E. G. Baltz, secretary.treas-
urer. and c. S. West, recording secre-
tary. Isl. -..' e.