In 1964, the Berkeley Yacht Club celebrated its 25th anniversary. The Commodore at the time, John Miller, put together a booklet about the history of the club.
He stated: “A history is more than just a chronicle of events. It is a narrative, description, photography. In compiling this history for the 25th anniversary, we have tried to give attention to all of these. The story of the Berkeley Yacht Club is one of imagination, courage, and devotion of unselfish, able men. The Berkeley Yacht Club came into being officially on April 28, 1939.”
I have summarized sections from the 1964 booket and over the next few months will include history from Michael Yovino-Young, Commodore in 1989 during our 50th anniversary, and Bob Gray, Commodore in 2014 during our 75th anniversary.
In 1935, the City of Berkeley provided the land while the Federal Government provided the labor to build a harbor, and the genesis of the Yacht Club took place. Subsequently, the founding group agreed to raise $1000, and the City of Berkeley agreed to provide $2500 for the Yacht Club. The first board meeting was held at Drake’s Restaurant on April 12, 1939, with Commodore B.H. Crockeron, V/C Frank Probert, R/C Weldon Nichols, and Directors Ralph Hoyt, Dr. T.O. Lake and Glenn Waterhouse, Secretary/Treasurer Lex Jensen.
The first clubhouse was dedicated to its present site on March 29, 1940. Initial membership was limited to 50, anticipating the limited size of the clubhouse. The clubhouse was a two-story Cape Cod structure, and the city furnished two flat-roofed existing structures that connected to the main building. The flat-roofed section to the east contained a small galley. When the clubhouse was completed on June 1, 1940, the Club was solvent, all bills were paid, and rent was paid five years in advance. The lease required BYC join PICYA, YRA, SBRA and NCPCA; we had to sponsor boating safety and USCGA flotilla #26.
Between 1942-1945 areas were off-limits for pleasure boats and the Coast Guard had to be notified when cruises were planned.
Secretary/Treasurer Glen Waterhouse said about Berkeley Yacht Club: “The whole idea behind establishing a yacht club in Berkeley was to provide an organization and clubhouse where dedicated sailors and boaters could gather and enjoy comfortable surroundings after a wider day on the bay and swap their ‘sea stories.’ Most yacht clubs at the time were very formal, and most yacht club members were not particularly fond of getting cold and wet on the bay.” The boating fraternity was very formal in those days, and it was not until Berkeley Yacht Club was formed that real “sailors” had their own club. It is noted in the 1964 history that “The pattern set by the original club founders follows to this day, in that the Berkeley Yacht Club has been a family club where both wives and juniors participate. It was a revolutionary idea for its time, that the meetings were joint meeting where wives and children were welcome.”
In 1963, the Club membership was up to 80 and finally during the 1965 administration of Commodore Bert Emberton, BYC reached the magic number of 100 active members and Bert obtained our liquor license. In the mid-1960s, architect and 1968 Commodore Jim Lucas designed our club building to conform to marina standards starting with the bar and lounge area on the west side. This was completed in 1967 under Commodore Rollo Wheeler, whose loss we still honor today with the Rollo Wheeler Regatta every year. In 1972, the new dining room and galley on the east side of the Cape Cod clubhouse was started, and then finished in 1975 by the hard work of four commodores and staff. In 1977, under Commodore Lloyd Tosse, the final phase of construction took place with $120,000 raised by members, which was paid off by 1982. The old Cape Cod cottage was removed, and a new two-story center section was completed in 1979.
Our First Club Manager was a caretaker of the building and operations, hired in 1978 by Ruth Brooke. Before that the Commodore managed club rentals, catering, dinner meetings and regular duties. The Vice Commodore managed all the bar activities, ordered, and inventoried the liquor and hired bartenders for events. The Treasurer made deposits from the register, billing members and paying bills. The Secretary published the Now Hear This newsletter. Regular membership was in the range of 200.
Nothing much has changed in more than 85 years. Berkeley is still a place where sailors and boaters can come and share stories at the bar. We may not be as formal as our “forefathers,” but we still hold true the purpose of Berkeley Yacht Club.
Looking forward to seeing you all on May 17 as we honor Berkeley Yacht Club’s Old Salts Members, who have continued to serve and stay true to the club’s purpose. Note from our bylaws: The purposes for which this Corporation is organized are as follows: a. To foster, encourage and further the sport of yachting. b. To promote and manage an Annual Berkeley Regatta. c. To acquire and maintain a suitable clubhouse. d. To sponsor the teaching of the science of navigation and the art of handling and sailing yachts and other vessels. e. To promote the social interests and pleasures of its members.
SAVE THE DATE: OLD SALTS DINNER ON SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025
Our annual Old Salts Dinner celebrates members of Berkeley Yacht Club for over 25 years. If you joined in 2000, when Sue Fry was Commodore, we welcome you to the Old Salts. This is our way of thanking you for your years of service. We are a volunteer club that supports our member events. Old Salts Dinner is an evening full of stories and great food to share so please make your calendars now. Looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday, May 17.
More information to follow over the next couple of months.
Does this book mention Nimitz at all?