Evening star., 1939-04-02
Marina Construction
Progress 10 Boom
River Sport
Power Squadron Expects
Big Membership Goin;
Clubs Overhaul Craft
BY MALCOLM LAMBORNE, Jr.

BY MALCOLM LAMBORNE, Jr.
Most noticeable stir along local
water fronts these days is a definite
indication that fitting out time is
here.
It's the time of year when a
yachtsman's fancy turns seriously
to thoughts of scraping, caulking,
painting and vanishing. And Moth
ing short of a blizzard would hold
him in check.
Local marine ways, as we'll as
nearby boatyards are running full
blast-some of them overtime-to ac-
commodate owners, all of whom
seem set on going overheard by
Easter or the week after.
Increase in Boat Minded.
1t takes only a casual observer to
note certain signs pointing to a
banner year for the sport. For in
stance, the reported 100 per cent in
crease in number of persons taking
entrance examinations last week for
membership in the Potomac River
Power Squadron, local unit of the
United States organization which is
establishing new squadrons in all
sections of the country and doing
much to educate boatmen in the
ways of small ships. Also there is
the large attendance noted at the
lectures by the Potomac River Sail
ing Association last month.
After a winter fortunately free
from any extended freezes, con-
struction is going forward on the
Washington Channels two yacht
basins. According to latest reports,
the contractor is just about on
schedule and the eastern portion of
the two sections. located on Maine
avenue-still Water street to some
d-timers-should be ready for oc-
Cupancy the latter part of July. In
the meantime bids for the second
unit will be sought.
Corinthians Are Busy.
The eastern portion of basin No. l
will accommodate approximately SIS
boats from 10 to 80 feet in length.
ss well as large yacht sales and
service building which now is under
construction. Farther downstream
basin No. 2 is expected to furnish
moorinos for 70 craft ranging from
25 to so feet.
In the meantime, Capital Yacht
Club, headed by Commodore E. Hill
man Willis, is biding its time and
not making too many plans for the
summer, as the area bounded by the
club will come within the second
step in the harbor Improvement
sometime this summer. But, in
Capital Yacht Clubs instance, how
ever. the majority of members,
mooring their boats out in the chan
mel. will not be seriously affected
Around on Anacostia River. Corin-
THAN Yacht Club begins another
year under the able leadership of
DR.. G. Bache Gill. power boat en-
thusiast. Genial Harold Simmons,
club steward, reports the piers over
hauled and new cables on the club
railways.
In order to accommodate the in
creased number of yachts, the club
has extended its large dock to in
clude seven more 50-footers.
Activity at Other CLUBS.
Farther upstream, the Eastern
Power Boat Club begins its 30th year
on the Anacostia, with Edward F.
Barker reelected as commodore.
Despite recent agitation of groups in
the area over the proposed transfer
of the Occoquan prison wharf from
Maine avenue to the site of Eastern
P. B. c., there is a strong possibility
the project might be postponed in
definitely, the writer has been in
formed by District officials.
In the event the membership will
be forced to vacate. this summer,
Washington Yacht Club; just short
distance above, has offered-in typ
ical seamen fashion-to lend a hand
to fellow yaclltsmen in the form of
spare berths. Commodore John
Kidds of Washington Y. C. says the
club will elect officers April 16
Columbia Yacht Club, which
seems to be thriving despite its
transplanting to a site adjacent to
the harbor police station last year,
elected officers last week w. W.
Barker was reelected commodore,
as was Charles Holden, ST, secre-
tary- treasurer. Vice commodore is
Stanley Sasher, j. o. Robson, di-
rector at large, and l. Greenberg,
measurer. Gordon Sanford was ap-
pointed representative to the Execu-
tive Committee of the P. R. S. A.