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Riverside Yacht Club

Stories from the Riverside Yacht Club

102 Club Road Riverside, CT 06878

(203) 637.1706

Website: www.riversideyc.org

Located on Cos Cob Harbor in Riverside, Connecticut, RYC is one of the oldest yacht clubs in America, founded in 1888. Their racing heritage includes the Annual Stratford Shoal Race, which celebrated its 80th race in 2011.

RIVERSIDE YACHT CLUB BECOMES NSHOF FOUNDING MEMBER

From the commodore:.

"Members of Riverside Yacht Club take pride in our sailing tradition dating to 1888 and are happy to be part of the National Sailing Hall of Fame's effort to bring recognition to those who have excelled at the sport and set markers that bring out the best in sailors today," said RYC Commodore.

Walton W. Alder, Commodore

On the evening of May 25, 1888 George I. Tyson, a prominent summer resident of Riverside and an enthusiastic yachtsman, invited 10 of his friends to meet with him at his home to consider and act upon his plan to establish a yacht club in the community. George Tyson provided an acre or so of waterfront land, and he offered to finance the construction and equipping of a clubhouse. In return for this, a token rental was charged. According to the Lloyd's Registry of American Yachts, Riverside Yacht Club (RYC) became the second yacht club to be established in the state of Connecticut and the eighth on Long Island Sound in order of seniority among those that have survived to the present day.

George Tyson served as Commodore for eight consecutive years. With his yacht, Nirvana , he led the cruising fleet on its annual runs to the eastern end of Long Island Sound.

Commodore Tyson was a self-made man, and a captain in New York's famed Seventh Regiment during the Civil War. It is Commodore Tyson's history with the Civil War and his regiment's flag, that led to the design of the RYC burgee.

During the winter of 1892-93, some of the members conceived the idea of establishing winter quarters in New York City. William Bagg, became an enthusiastic supporter of the idea and generously offered the use of his rooms at 39 West 31st Street for this purpose. The RYC annual meetings were held here up until 1895 after which they were then held back in Riverside.

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Welcome To Riverside Yacht Club

Clubhouse, bar & tallman room, riverside y.c. welcomes all yachtsmen. we have floating docks with water, and electricity..

Our club monitors Channel 69

Bar and Clubhouse Are now open

 The RYC bar and clubhouse is now open!   We hope to see you soon!

Be safe out there.

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Riverside Yacht Club

Wanamaker Avenue, Essington, Pennsylvania 19029, United States

(610) 521-9855

Passing of a cherished Member

On December 27th the RYC family lost a long time friend with the passing of John "Jack" Mcdonough. Jack was loved and respected by all of his associates at the club, he will  be dearly missed. Jack was always supportive, helpful and friendly, he will be sorely missed. We wish him and his family the best moving forward. 

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Yacht and Boat Clubs of Greenwich

By Local History Librarian March 17, 2017

Originally written by Carl White.

A friend recently asked me which was the oldest yacht and boat club in Greenwich. I said I thought it was the Indian Harbor Yacht Club on Steamboat Road. After all, this was the site where ferry boats from New York City and Long Island moored. Local agricultural products (apples, potatoes, etc) were once shipped from this location. Once people from New York City began to vacation in “the country”, they began sailing on Long Island Sound.  So this was the most logical place for a yacht and boat club to pop up. My first thought was to grab Karen Jewell’s book “ A History of the Greenwich Waterfront ” (2011). She’d used the Local History vertical files and reference collection for her research.  I then checked the history section of the websites for the individual clubs. Finally, I reviewed several Oral History Project Redbooks and transcripts for more information.

The Riverside Yacht Club

Well, I was close!  It just so happens that the Riverside Yacht Club was formed on May 25, 1888. Mr. George I Tyson, a successful businessman, and yachtsman donated an acre of land along the Riverside shoreline. He wanted to organize a unique group of his friends for the purpose of sailing. Tyson even paid to have a new clubhouse built. Karen Jewell states that this was the second club to be founded in Connecticut and the eighth on Long Island Sound, despite the rise and fall of many startups.

The Victorian-style clubhouse was built in 1889. Part of it was built on pilings near a seawall. It contained a kitchen, ballroom, reading rooms, card rooms, bedrooms, locker rooms, and an expansive wrap-around porch. There was even a news article in The New York Herald about the new clubhouse! The club became so popular that it wasn’t long before the members were clamoring for more space. A new “spar loft” was added in 1893. Commodore Tyson once again funded the new addition. It included a billiard room, shuffleboard area, bowling area, staff housing, and horse sheds. The club was able to hold Midsummer Balls and Saturday Evening Hops. The 180-member club owned 10 steam-powered yachts and 52 sailboats. Eventually, the club began participating in regattas, and a Junior Sailing Program was initiated.

The club managed to flourish, despite several setbacks. On September 21, 1938, the “Great New England Hurricane” flooded the main and junior clubhouses. Amazingly, no boats were damaged. The clubhouse was back in service the next day due to a superhuman effort by staff and club members. The War Years (World War I & II) proved financially challenging for the Riverside Yacht Club. As the nation was redirecting material and financial resources toward the war, the club faced financial hardship, which it was able to overcome. As the war was winding down, another hurricane hit Greenwich from September 14 to 15, 1944. Although the clubhouse escaped damage, this time the vessels were damaged.

Indian Harbor Yacht Club

Surprisingly, the Indian Harbor Yacht Club was founded in New York City in July 1889, and incorporated in New York State on April 11, 1892.  Elbert A. Silleck and Richard Outwater were the only Greenwich members. The first clubhouse was set up on Finch’s (Tweed’s) Island. Members would travel from New York City to Greenwich. The clubhouse stayed there from 1892 to 1895. When E.C. Benedict bought the land in  1895, the club tried to get Benedict to agree to rent Finch’s Island as a “Club Station.” When Benedict didn’t respond, IHYC started a search for a new site.

Initially, a Rocky Point Neck site was selected, but the deal fell through. After other considerations, a permanent home was built in 1897 on Steamboat Road. It was renovated in 1898 to include a new grill room with an adjoining café, formal dining room, storage rooms, additional storage rooms, a larger piazza, and a 278-foot jetty.

On October 3, 1919, the clubhouse was completely destroyed by a fire. The damage was estimated to be100-thousand dollars. The building was only insured for 30 thousand dollars. Fortunately, the Club was able to raise enough money to build a new clubhouse, which opened on Memorial Day 1921. Today, it remains a (navigational) landmark adjacent to Greenwich Harbor.

The Belle Haven Yacht Club

Around the same time as the Indian Harbor Yacht Club was established, the Belle Haven Land Company established “The Greenwich Casino Association.” It was hoped that this would help attract people to buy property on the peninsula. The term casino may be misleading since it was initially used to refer to a place for social interaction (i.e. meetings, entertainment, dancing but not gambling.) A clubhouse was opened on July 4, 1892. Activities included boating, swimming, tennis, horse shows, live music, and theater. In 1926, the name of the organization was changed to The Beach Club. It was only open for part of the year. Club boating didn’t become popular until 1953 when a member introduced a new fiberglass sloop. This seemed to pique interest, and more people joined the club. By 1961, the name was changed to The Belle Haven Yacht Club.

The Byram Shore Boat Club

The Byram Shore Boat Club was founded in 1938. It was formed for people who enjoyed yachting, sailing, fishing, and boating, as well as education in seamanship and navigation. The clubhouse was built in 1935 and 67 marina berths were added in 1970. Club events included a Seafood Bakeoff, St Patrick’s Day Party, movie nights, Rock the Docks concert, and New England Clambakes. There were approximately 270 members.

Greenwich Boat and Yacht Club

The Greenwich Boat and Yacht Club (GBYC) was established on Grass Island in 1938. Several businessmen formed it so that residents could enjoy boating. They also worked closely with the Town to enhance the harbor area. The current boathouse was built in 1955, and the docks provided 65 slips.

Old Greenwich Yacht Club

At the eastern end of Town, the Old Greenwich Yacht Club (OGYC) was formed in 1943. It was formed to provide sailing education and social interaction. Walter Pendleton served as the first Commodore. A boathouse was built as the first clubhouse, and a deep-water dock extended out toward Sand Island. The Town purchased Tod’s Point in 1945 and planned to convert a “three-car garage” building into a clubhouse. It had double doors that opened to a work pit for trucks and automobiles. A coal-fired boiler provided hot water heat. Future additions included a porch and shed. In 1938, the Great Hurricane destroyed the dock. Small boats had to be pulled up on shore and tied to stakes. Large vessels anchored offshore. Club boats were pulled into the clubhouse for maintenance.

Going Down To The Sea In Ships

So the Riverside Yacht Club beat out the Indian Harbor Yacht Club by a year. I’m happy to say that each of the boating and yachting clubs appears to be healthy and vibrant today. I love to take the ferry out to Island Beach and see all the boats on Long Island Sound on the weekend. It reminds me of the important role boating and sailing (and Long Island Sound) have played in the history of Greenwich. Although commercial boating has waned, recreational boating flourishes. There’s something about a sail filled with wind, carrying a boat quietly across the water. It’s somehow magical.

May the residents of Greenwich continue to “go down to the sea in ships,” and keep the spirit of adventure alive.

Jewell, K:  “The History of the Greenwich Waterfront”; History Press, Charleston SC, 2011.

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Greenwich Free Press -

Greenwich Free Press (https://greenwichfreepress.com/around-town/photos-clear-skies-for-greenwich-hospitals-under-the-stars-event-at-riverside-yacht-club-90141/)

PHOTOS: Clear Skies for Greenwich Hospital’s “Under the Stars” Event at Riverside Yacht Club

By: asher almonacy | june 25, 2017.

Greenwich Hospital’s popular summer fundraiser, “Under the Stars,” benefited women’s and children’s health.

The event featured headlining performer, Gavin DeGraw. DeGraw, a Grammy nominated, multi-platinum selling singer and songwriter, mesmerized the crowd as he sang his chart-topping hit “Chariot” at the Riverside Yacht Club.

DeGraw debut album, Chariot, released in 2003, sold over 1 million copies, earned platinum certification, and yielded three hit singles: “I Don’t Want To Be,” “Follow Through,” and the title-track, “Chariot.”

DeGraw’s self-titled second album debuted at No. 1 on the digital sales chart and at No. 7 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart in 2008, earning Gavin his first Top 10 album.

Under the Stars event at Riverside Yacht Club benefited women’s and children’s health at Greenwich Hospital, June 24, 2017. Photo Asher Almonacy

In addition, DeGraw was nominated for his first Grammy for “We Both Know,” the song he co-wrote with Colbie Calliat for the 2013 film, “Safe Haven.” Since then he has been consistently touring around the world, including sold out dates with the legendary Billy Joel.

DeGraw said, he “was honored” to get the invite and “very excited” to be returning to the East Coast to perform for Greenwich Hospital, benefiting Women’s and Children’s Health.

Women’s and children’s health services include pediatrics, maternity (obstetrics), gynecology and cardiovascular services, as well as specialized services in our NICU, Breast Center, Fertility Center and resources provided by Community Health at Greenwich Hospital.

Patron level ticket holders were invited to an exclusive pre-event roof top party, where they dined with reserved front of stage access of the performance.

In addition to an intimate performance by DeGraw, guests enjoyed music entertainment by popular local disc jockeys, DJ Flip and DJ April Larken. Emmy award-winning correspondent for CBS News, Jeff Glor, served as Master of Ceremonies. Under the Stars drew hundreds of supporters from Fairfield and Westchester counties.

A live auction, led by Christie’s auctioneer Caroline Ervin, raised vital funds for Women’s and Children’s Health at Greenwich Hospital. Guests had the opportunity to bid on incredible trips to Anguilla, Mexico and the Bahamas; tickets to see Billy Joel live at Madison Square Garden; a sports package including tickets for all the popular New York teams; and an animal portrait by world-renowned artist, David Yarrow.

Guests also had the opportunity to directly help strengthen their favorite department by purchasing a wish list item created by Physicians and nurses from each department based on their immediate needs.

“Year after year, we have had an amazing turn out, as people know this is one of the most exciting nights in Greenwich,” said Andrea Sinkin Jaffe, Under the Stars event co-chair. “To date, we have raised over $2.5 million for pediatric services and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Greenwich Hospital. What a perfect marriage it is to now incorporate all women’s services under our umbrella of fundraising.”

Event support will allow Greenwich Hospital to attract and retain physicians, nurses and staff who are the best in their fields, and to ensure the delivery of superior healthcare through investments in advanced medical technologies and facilities.

“Greenwich Hospital is committed to providing women and children in our region with the highest quality of health care in a compassionate and safe environment,” said Norman G. Roth, president of Greenwich Hospital. “We are grateful for the generous support we receive from individuals and businesses to help us achieve this mission.”