Michigan City Yacht Club

History

1933 through 2002

Compiled and

Edited by Mary K. Kelley

Michigan City Yacht Club

History

 

1933 through 2002

 

 

 

 

Compiled and

Edited by Mary K. Kelley

 

 

 

 

I. Frank Mayr Jr., Secretary of State of the State of Indiana, hereby certify that the following and hereto attached is a full, true and complete copy of that certain instrument designated Articles of Incorporation of MICHIGAN CITY YACHT CLUB, bearing file date in this office as of May 19. 1933, as the some appears on file, as the law directs, in this office.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF. I hereunto set my hand and affix the Great Seal of the State of Indiana , done at my offices, in the City of Indianapolis this, 25th day of May A. D. 1933.

Frank Mayr. Jr.

Secretary of State

The Board of Directors of this corporation shall be nine (9) in number and the names of Directors elected for the management of its business and prudential concerns for the first year of its existence are as follows:

Frank Fl. Warren                                  J. H. Lutz                                E. B. Stover

Harry W. Frey                                       Hugo H. Herbert                   E. G. Browne

C. A. Sprague                                       Paul A. Kreuger                    P. C. Gale

The principle office of this corporation shall be located in the City of Michigan City , LaPorte County , Indiana .

In Witness Whereof, we the undersigned have hereunto set our hands and seals, this 15th day of May 1933.

Harry W. Frey                                       E. G. Browne                         E. B. Stover

C. A. Spraque                                       Hugo H. Herbert                   P. C. Gale

J. H. Lutz                                                Paul A. Krueger                    Frank R. Warren

State of Indiana

County of LaPorte

Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public, in and for said county and state, personally appeared Frank R. Warren, Harry W. Frey, C. A. Sprague, J. H. Lutz, E. G. Browne, Hugo H. Herbert, Paul A. Krueger. E. B. Stover and P. C. Gale, each of whom signed and acknowledged the foregoing articles of Incorporation as his voluntary act and deed, said Articles being executed and acknowledged in duplicate.

Witness my hand and notorial seal this 15th day of May, 1933.

Irene Wendt, Notary Public

Approved and filed May 19, 1933

Frank Mayr, Jr., Secretary of State

Filed May 27, 1933 at 9:00 A. M.                                                                       James A. Terry. R. L. C.

Prologue

Sitting and reflecting today in this beautiful clubhouse, comfortable in a big easy chair and gazing lakeward through the haze, an imaginary mind could well perceive the ghosts of former boats surging along to a marine Valhalla . Off to starboard steams the queenly " United States " in all her pristine majesty and beyond passes the shades of the "Theodore Roosevelt," laying their network of courses upon history.

Across the basin the enveloping fog softens with a silver tinge the hulls of launches that preceded our fleet. All of them are gone now-" Seagull" "Archie Roosevelt," "Skipper," "Orca," "Hypatia," "Rest-less," "Minnie L.," and others. These were not the boats of the last century but rather the boats that graced the basin early in this generation.

The Roaring 20’s brought dark days to our basin when yachtsmen left their open boats in mad pursuit of the open roads in that latest fad, the Model T. All alone at her mooring in the basin lay "Skipper" meditating.

Our harbor’s darkest period started in the 1920’s when city fathers decided the unused basin could better serve the taxpayers as a baseball diamond and for several years the basin served as the municipal dump. Within a short time the area that is now the parking lot was filled. Dad Hiesman reported every infraction to the U. S. Engineers in the hope that dumping would be stopped. It was not until E. G. (Babe) Browne typed and circulated petitions, requesting that U. S. Engineers stop the filling, that the order came through to the city administration to desist.

In the meantime the basin just grew smaller and continued to fill with weeds.

Although the yacht club did not exist in fact in 1931, it did in spirit. There were a few boats in the basin that year and everybody had a lot of fun. The Heismans had "Surf" and "White Cap," Babe Brownc, "Skipper;" Remster Bingham, "Jorab," Peters and Marshke "Pastime," and Harry Frey and Doc Ferguson were churning the water in an outboard speedboat, Pat Shaver’s "Playboat" was the fastest thing in sight and carried "Pep" Calvert and Dick Cook as crew. Dr. Frank Warren and R. B. Kellog’s "Chinook" remained moored in the harbor, unable to get her tall spar under the walk that bridged the gap.

A popular stopping place for boatmen was the Harbor Coal Company where the daily government weather map was always displayed. Owned by John Lutz, the coal company office also served as the official government customs office and he as Harbormaster. The conversation topic of visitors to John’s office was always the same, the basin, and John would always produce a map and drawing of his idea to make the basin an ideal yacht harbor. On April 21, 1932, a two column article appeared in the two local papers entitled "Why Not a Yacht Harbor?" and signed G. C. Calvert, inspired as he said by an enthusiastic afternonn in John Lutz’s office.

The year 1932 saw a few more boats added to our weed filled basin. Bob Werdine bought a black Pup sloop, Krebs’ brothers bought a runabout down from Fox lake, and named it "Krebs Surf." M.C. Murray bought a sea sled. George VanVolkenburg and Earl Kading reconditioned a double-ended cruiser and named it "Hesperous." The Naval Reserves moored their motor-sailor in the basin and it was about this time that Harry Frey and Doc Ferguson built a double pontoon rig powered with an outboard motor. It was to take them on a trip down the Mississippi River but only reached the west beach where it sank. The two rugged sailors returned to port, loaded in their wet gear aboard their "Punkin’ Seed" outboard and completed the trip. The sea Scouts, under Byron Pendergast, were very active and were planning to build a fleet of some kind. They finally decided to build a fleet of snipes during the winter.

Came the spring of 1933, Skipper Pendergast predicted a fleet of at least five snipes would be launched in the spring. N. L. Randall bought a steel runabout. Babe Browne gave "Skipper" a coat of shining black. Scott Holman had a mahogany speedboat. A husky cutter was under construction at Frey Brothers lumber yard. Kenneth and Paul Lange bought their runabout "Anita" from Chicago Hieghts, Heismans sold "White Cap" to Egon Kramer of Chicago, Remster Bingham sold "Jorab" and ordered "Jorab II" built. Mired in harbor silt were Ed Hintze’s excursion boats "Skater" and "Annie Wilson." Herold Benson was hard at work building his cat boat "Wanderer." Ray Fox, Sr., and Norman Johnson laid the keel for an 18 foot cutter. Carl Finske bought an outboard speedboat and Fred Bluhm was building a sailing scow. Charles Sprague bought a motor boat and Larry Wendt launched "Zanta." Fred Bluhm and Winston Pilot built a scow affair powered with an airplane propeller and motorcycle engine. It shook itself to death as one wag said "from laughing."

These boats added to the boats already moored in the basin made mooring a problem and the only ones to enjoy navigating the weeds in the basin were mammoth carp who gamboled joyously in the sub-surface in the herbaceous verdure.

There was much gloom in the marts of trade that year but the lakefront was a beehive of activity.

In was about the middle of March that the postcard arrived through the mails carrying the message that anyone interested in boating should meet at the Naval Reserve Armory on the evening of March 14. The card was signed by Harry Frey.

The First Meeting

March 14 fell on a Tuesday. It had been a bright and shining day despite the dark gloom that shrouded the marts of trade in the depression year of 1933 and this was to be the night that "anyone interested in boating should be at the Naval Reserve Armory at 7:30 ." The Armory was then located at the southwest corner of the bridge.

By seven o’ clock that evening a crowd of 64 men was milling about the Armory discussing the topics of the day which included Franklin Roosevelt, who had taken office ten days before as the 31st president of the United States. His first act had been to close savings banks across the country; also the government had begun rounding up money hoarders; local jobless were asking to work out taxes on city streets; Washington began debate on the beer bill which would permit the brewing of 3.2 percent beer; and California had just suffered another devastating earthquake.

This was the background as the stage was set for our first meeting.

No club ever started with such a cross-section of local citizenry as gathered at the armory that evening. Men from every social strata in the town were in attendance, all drawn together by a common factor—their love of boating.

By eight o’clock all had gravitated to their seats and Harry Frey called the meeting to order.

Present that evening were Harry Frey, Frank Krebs, Leonard Johnson, Davis Root, J.B. Moore, Fairfax Ernst, James Dean, Theodore Brink, Russell Gilmore, Clarence Brown, Hartley Job, Stanley Norris, Ole Johnson, C. J. Wahl, Robert Fox, H. K. Benson, O. J. Blank, Elwin Greening, Lyle Estes, Scott Holman, C. B. Pendergrast, E.B. Stover, C. F. Swartzell, Jacob Shapero.

Edmund Browne, Edward Keithley, J. D. Harsemeyer, G. C. Calvert, Gerold Fritz, R. J. Hotchkiss, Rudolph Heisman, Harry Heisman, C. W. Swartzell, Clyde B. Jarrette, J. H. Link, Mark Moorman, Ray E. Smith, Dr. M. L. Ferguson, Earl Kaeding, Roscoe F. Stevenson, R. E. Werdine, Wilford Hahn, Albert Bates.

W. D. McAlpine, P. C. Gale, R. B. Kellogg, Robert Ludwig, E.G. Powell, John Lutz, Edward Spychalski, E. T. Krentz, Dr. Frank R. Warren, H. H. Herbert, Hermon Heisman, Ted VanGiesen, Edward Luce, Arnold Cota, H. Gaylen Frey, John Warren, Abraham Hebeisen, Joseph Krebs, Charles Sprague and Phil Sprague.

Leaning on the navy mess table that served as the speakers table Harry Frey began by saying:

" Michigan City has many natural advantages for a harbor. It is close to Chicago and America ’s finest homes, and it is handy to an army of pleasure-loving folks. We have a natural boat basin that would cost thousands of dollars to duplicate, but we must improve it."

Ray Hotchkiss as acting secretary was writing like mad to keep up with the proceedings.

"Open and widen the gap." Harry continued, "Sheet pile the outer edge of the basin, dredge it to sufficient depth, repair the north break-water and harbor edges. We must beautify the land adjacent to the harbor and keep the harbor clear by preventing pollution by industries."

He explained the value of a good harbor not only for boating recreation but as profit even to our merchants. He cited the Century of Progress, that was to open the following year, and its visiting yachts-men and the possibility of encouraging visiting boats.

In closing, he said the club had no intention to stress social functions of any project involving expense to the members.

John Lutz, Harbormaster and chairman of the Chamber of Commerce harbor committee, elaborated on the program as outlined by Harry Frey. He said sand and weed dredged out of the basin could be used to cover the old breakwater, making it attractive for a walk or drive.

He further explained that the sand could he used to fill in and grade the bathing beach. He added that the walk over the gap must be re-moved so that boats with high masts could enter the basin, and that the gap should be widened to 80 feet, and the basin dredged to 12 feet in the middle and to about four feet at the shore.

Hugo Herbert then spoke and said, "during the Century of Progress in Chicago there will be many persons traveling in boats and this city is a logical place for them to tie up. Then too, Chicago boat owners would come here for the weekends."

Lieut. E. B. Stover told of his efforts to get the Great Lakes fleet here. "They want better facilities to land the men," he said. In closing he declared that a survey of the liberty parties from the fleet showed an average of $l,600 spent each time ashore.

Others that spoke that night in favor of urging the city improve the basin were Robert Kellogg, Charles Sprague, Roscoe Stephenson, Scott Holman, and Dr. Frank R. Warren.

On a motion made by Ed Kiethley, a committee composed of C. B. Pendergast, Scott Holman, Raymond G. Hotchkiss, Hugo Herbert, and E. T. Krentz, was named to select officers to be voted on at the next meeting of the club.

The next day, John Lutz, Harry Frey, Bob Kellogg, and Nate Rosenberg, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, went to Milwaukee to see C. H. Hubberd of the U. S. Lighthouse Service, about removing the walk over the gap.

Results followed quickly for in the week that followed, the "Illiana," survey boat of the U.S. Engineers department, in charge of Chief Bogey, arrived and began sounding and surveying the harbor.

The Second Meeting

On March 21, 1933 the second meeting was held. Thirty enthusiastic yachtsmen attended. They counted very few boats in their fleet, but launched a most ambitious program for the harbor and basin improvement. Those who registered at the meeting that night were firmly convinced that their hands were to rest on shovels and levers operating dredging equipment rather than on the tillers of yachts

On the motion of Raymond Fox, Sr., those present unanimously elected Harry Frey, president: H. H. Herbert, vice president: Charles Sprague, second vice president, and E. B. Stover: secretary treasurer.

It was a strange coincidence that the meeting that night fell on the anniversary of the organizing in Michigan City of the Indiana Yacht Club of which Dr. A. L. Knapp of South Bend was commodore. Dr. Knapp was at the meeting that night and gave a short but most interesting talk.

He told of the original yacht club and its officers-George Culbert, official mayor: Dr. C. W. Cleveland, rear commodore and Oscar Neimer, Wilford Miller, Dr. F. R. Warren and Miss Maude Staiger. He said Maude could handle a wrench or wheel as efficiently as any man in the club. Said Dr. Knapp "There is nothing finer than an organization such as you are building. I can remember the good times we had."

Harbor Essential

Dr. Knapp stressed the value of a good harbor, not only for boating recreation, but for profit to the merchants. "A yacht harbor is essential to the boat owner but need not be a burden to the taxpayer; but profit making municipal asset."

An advisory board, composed of R. B. Kellogg, P. C. Gale, Ed Keithley, and E. B. Stover were to work with the harbor committee to the Chamber of Commerce and to ascertain what equipment was available such as dredges, pumps, barges, etc., for the proposed improvements of the harbor and basin.

Short talks also were given by Ben Hoskins and Mel Hickman. Wayne McAlpine, in quoting figures as to the amount of sand to be removed form the basin said, " There are 22 acres of water and this must be deepened to 12 feet in the middle and taper off to four on the edges."

Harold Benson was asked to describe the boat he was constructing, but he declined saying, "I’d rather wait and see if it floats before I say anything about it."

Mark Moorman told of the boating in Florida , especially speed boating and described the breakwaters.

Said John Lutz, " I helped build the present breakwater in 1875 and while I hate to see it covered up, we can do wonders with the basin if we get together and work."

No date was set for the next meeting but it was decided it would be at the discretion of the president.

Dredging Discussed

During the next month Col. Caples of the U. S. Engineering department came to the town and discussed the dredging of the harbor and basin.

Also during the month, officials of the Lathrop, Schmitt, Putman Company of Sturgeon Bay Mich. , owners of the Diesel motorship "Material Service" were in town contemplating the construction of permanent gravel yard just south of the Sixth Street Bridge , but shallow water in the harbor made the plan impracticable

Incidentally the "Material Service" now rests on the bottom off south Chicago with two bodies in her hull-sunk in a storm many years ago.

Harry Frey announced that the Yacht Club would meet in the Naval Armory Tuesday April 25^th. "Plans will be made to incorporate the club," Harry said.

The next few weekends saw Hurculean efforts to remove the hulk of the sunken stone bardge that lay along the basin shore. It made quite a picture. Imagine, if you can, the tow trucks of Schlunz Brothers, Rannie Body, and Kroening Brothers, with their powerful winches all hooked onto the wreck. In a boat along side the hulk was Chuck Sprague wiring caps to sticks of dynomite, Rufy Heisman up to his neck in the water taking the wired sticks from Chuck and diving under the water to place them where they would do the most good. Then everybody took cover while the sticks were exploded from the shore. The ensuing dedonations were heard around the county.

Otto Tatus donated a hand winch to assist in dragging the weeds from the basin. An iron pipe was fastened to the cable and taken to the center of weeds and then hauled ashore. Tons of weeds were hauled ashore but still no dent was made in the sum total.

It was about this time that Gov. Paul McNutt visited and was entertained by Remster Bingham aboard "Jorab II." They took a boat trip along the shore and up the harbor, after which the governor boarded the "U.S.S. Hawk" for a weekend cruise. Harry Frey remarked "I’ve been here nine years and I’m glad that at last a governor has visited someplace in Michigan City besides the prison. It’s a good omen I tell you."

Next day the newspaper headlines screamed "City Gets New Industry!" Chicago Boat Company to Operate Here." N. L. and T. D . Randall founders of the company, leased the building just south of the Second Street bridge on the east side and started construction of a 65 foot cruiser and several smaller boats.

Fleet Takes to the Water

In May the stage was set for the launching of the Michigan City Yacht Club fleet. The launching was done by crane along the dock on the south side opposite the Smith Brothers factory. Thousands of people watched the launching from bleachers on the Smith Brothers lawn. The bands also were seated there. What a day! Sea Scouts stood before their boats and announced over the amplifying system that their best girls would christen their boats. Rudy Hiesman bent bowlines in clumsy hawsers and put them on all the boats. P. C. Gale’s clothes adsorbed most of the christening water. It was red letter day in our young club’s existence.

Following the launching, the boats were towed into the basin where they lay with their masts unstepped, being unable to get them under the gaps overhead walk.

On March 30^th, E. A. Markman of the War department granted the Yacht Club permission to sheet pile the basin shore.

Dave Root Chauffeurs

The Columbia Yacht Club race that year was sailed as usual. The Michigan City Yacht Club’s participation consisted of a car marked "Official Car" and was driven by Dave Root. The car transported visiting Columbia officials to their headquarters at Spaulding hotel. Commodore Frey lamented the fact that the club had no money to entertain the visiting yachtsman as it would liked to have done, but hoped to be able to do better the next year.

Recalling the ride he had aboard "Zanta" with Larry Wendt, Doc Fergusen said, "far out in the lake we met Norman Johnson with a party aboard ‘Three Point Two’ riding the heavy swells like a duck. Rudy Heisman drove by in Thomas E. Maloy’s beautiful cabin speedboat on his way to Chicago . We also had the pleasure that night of having the dirigible ‘ Macon ’ pass directly overhead. From our position on the lake we could see the Goodyear blimp "Paritian" soaring over A Century of Progress in Chicago .

During the next few months plans were prepared by Ellis Powell and Norman Johnson for a swing bridge to be constructed over the peir gap. The plans were presented before the 30 members at the July meeting. At the meeting Harry Frey said, "we have something here that does not exist anywhere else in the state of Indiana -a free harbor!" It was quite an important meeting, Byron Pendergast told of the Sea Scout activities and Ted VanGiesen praised the efforts of the members who helped so much in the attempt to remove the wrecks from the basin.

Wheeler Searl Marsh submitted his design for a club pennant. It was quite an elaborate design with a dune and a lake scene in the MC. Jimmy Dean submitted a more simple design which was accepted and is the one now being used.

Charter Member- 50 Cents!

P. C. Gale suggested that we keep the charter open for another month. A person could become a charter member on payment of 50 cents. In the year 1933, as you remember, 50 cent pieces were not that plentiful.

John Polson, who was sitting in the second row, tossed his 50 cents onto the speakers table.

City Engineer Herbert R. Peters asked for volunteers among the members to help plan a survey for the establishment of a definite shore line for pilings around the basin.

Present that evening for the first time was Lt. Comm. Sturgis, USNR, Donnelly Leeds and Dick Misener.

Dave Root suggested that we hold races every Sunday among the local sailboats.

"An outboard race has been suggested," Said Commodore Frey, "but the drawback would be cash or merchandise, and the club has no money.

He got no further! John Lutz jumped to his feet. His deafness kept him in doubt as to the subject under discussion- - "get started with the dredging in the basin- get a pump or a scow! I suggest a committee be appointed! Get a little dirt moving. We’ve got to make a showing to get assistance from the state and federal government!" John shouted.

Dave Root talked on what he declared the "outboard nuisance." He asserted outboard boats had been scooting along the harbor at a fast rate of speed much to the discomfort of occupants of other craft. He suggested that all boats in the city be registered and that an accurate check be kept of them. That work was assigned to Dude Calvert.

Much satisfaction was expressed by the Commodore over the fact that the shore line of the basin had been cleared.

Capt. David Furst of the Coast Guard was very anxious that boat owners exercise great care lest there be a casualty. Commodore Frey urged the use of common sense in the operation of boats.

Babe Browne, Byron Pendergast and Joe Karras were appointed members of a committee to inspect boats of members and non-members to see that they were equipped with safety features.

"Get a life preserver," said John Lutz.

The club members did get stuff moving, as John suggested earlier that evening, and that about ends the story of how the club got started and what transpired during the first few meetings. If only they could get a clubhouse, but that’s another story:

The Clubhouse

The annual dinner of 1936 was held on January 8 at Mat-hilda’s Tea Room with 70 members attending. Following the dinner Harry Frey, as retiring Commodore, opened the meeting and introduced the new ‘Commodore-Babe Browne and his officers, Vice Commodore Dave Root, Rear Commodore P. C. Gale, Secretary R. L. Vail, and Treasurer P. A. Krueger.

Retiring Commodore Frey received a handsome lamp and book ends.

The meeting, as usual, became progressively noisier and when the Commodore introduced the guests of the evening the ensuing speeches and songs raised geniality mast-high. Visitors included the O’Rourke brothers, Frank Hayes, Tom Lake , Earl Gascoigne, Bill Whalen, Nat Rubinkam , Bert Williamson, Bill Ahern, Dave Zimmerman, A. Henninger, Gim Hobelmon, Jobn

Flshbach, Virge Lewis, George Schaeffer and Dad Ruger.

Whalen Wails

As the final dulcet tones of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" faded into the smoke-filled room, rendered by that famous Defender of the Faith Bill Whalen, Commodore Browne announced he had two more guests to introduce, one of whom held a message of interest to club members. He introduced Tom Mullen and Frank

Sadenwater of the Park Board.

Mr . Mullen said the Park Board had authorized Architect Fred Ahlgrim to draw plans for a clubhouse to be built with W.P.A. labor for lease to the Michigan City Yacht Club. The building would be of Norman architecture with a 36 foot tower on the north end, with construction to start as soon as the frost was out of the ground. Complete plans would be ready for club approval at the next club meeting. With that welcome news the meeting went wild.

It had been just one month before, that Commodore Frey had asked members to think and work on the idea of a clubhouse for next spring, and here it was one month later laid gently in our laps. Frey was immediately named chairman of the building committee.

Plans Submitted

At the March 6 meeting Chairman Frey submitted plans of the clubhouse for approval. Secy. Vail was empowered to draw up a resolution to the Park Board approving plans for the clubhouse.

On April 6-Approximately one-half of the material to build the clubhouse was assembled and preliminary steps for actual construction had been completed.

Oct. 2.-Members reported they were busy locating any discarded rocks, cement blocks etc., to be used in the clubhouse construction.

Nov. 6-Final plans were submitted to members for approval. Plans showed a clubhouse of stone construction with a 36-foot tower.

Jon. 2, 1937-Mr. Jennings suggested that since the city administration was to build the clubhouse the Yacht Club should agree to purchase furnishings on completion. A resounding "AYE" passed the motion by P. C. Gale seconded by Pi Johnson.

April 2-Chairman Frey reported the clubhouse could not be completed before the end of the year and suggested looking for a barge on which to build a temporary clubhouse.

Oct. l-Jim Drain suggested we ask the Park Board for a smaller structure than planned.

Root Seeks Action

Saturday April 30, 1938 the newly installed Commodore, Dave Root, feeling the full bloom of his new office, decided to stir up some action on the clubhouse, so rounding up Vice Commodore Hugo Herbert and Director Babe Brown, they descended upon the stronghold of Mayor Rhinehart "Hemp" Fedder.

Commodore Root asked if there wasn’t something the club members could do to further the status of the proposed clubhouse.

Said the Mayor, "Only this week I received directive ordering all money allocated but not spent by January 1 of this year to revert to the general fund and that has been done."

"Did that include the appropriation for the clubhouse?" asked Commodore Root.

"Yes," replied the Mayor.

"What can we do now?" asked Hugo. With a gesture of finality the Mayor replied, "Nothing." And so it was that the Michigan City Yacht Club’s first clubhouse died a-borning.

Mullen Has Suggestion

The next day, May 1, and following his usual pattern, Hugo Herbert was spending Sunday morning strolling along the basin shore when Tom Mullen come along. Hugo was voicing his disappointment to Tom about the outcome of the clubhouse when Tom interrupted and asked, "Why doesn’t the club buy the Nolan property. I understand it can be bought for $3,500. It would be a much better location than here next to the Oasis."

"But $3,500," thought Hugo, "it might just as well be $35,000." This was 1938 and half the town was still on relief. The club charter had been kept open for on extra two months to give the boys a chance to raise 50 cents to join the club-and now we needed $3,500.

The following morning Hugo mentioned the incident to Bill Blackwood at the Citizens Bank. Bill had no comment at the time, but early Tuesday morning Bill and Jim Drain burst into Harry Frey’s Lumber company office.

Bill and Jim had been up all night (and they looked it) working out a prospectus on "How To Do It." The main features stated that the club would be limited to 140 members, each member being required to buy one participating redeemable certificate for $25. Annual dues would be $5.00.

The 140 members at $25 would give the club the needed $3,500 to buy the Nolan property.

The prospectus was presented at Friday’s meeting but action was tabled until the entire membership could be informed of the plans and a special meeting was called for the following Wednesday.

Drain presented the plan at the Wednesday meeting and $1,000 was pledged on the spot. Another week of intensive stock selling and the property was purchased. Work parties were set up and the tearing down and patching up started. Kroening Brothers moved in to crib up the house while Henry Phillips’ company moved in with a sand elevator. Frey Brothers donated the services of a brick layer and cement finisher named Nello. The hard labor was supplied by members.

The old section of the present clubhouse, the original Nolan home, was remodeled and reconditioned and the clubhouse was first used during this year.

General plans of the building as it is today were made and excavations for the West Room basement, the present locker room, were started and the locker room walls and roof built.

It was during this operation that the lowest point in the club’s short existence was reached. It occurred one fall evening when the work party had completed building the north wall of the locker room. It had been a hard night’s work carrying the block and laying the 50’x 9’ wall. It was 10 p. m., and the boys had quit for the night, resting on the piled lumber, and smoking, when a dull thud brought them to their feet. Flat on the ground lay the 50 foot wall in a disarray of cement blocks caused by a team of over enthusiastic back fillers.

6/3/39

In 1939 the locker and wash rooms were completed, the old building was raised and the basement excavated in preparation for the construction of the Tap Room. The construction of t he ‘West Room Lounge and sail loft during the Fall of 1940-1941 was the first professional work of any proportion that entered into the construction. In 1949 and 1950, the Viking Room, Galley and Stewards quarters were added.

6/24/39

In 1950, under Commodore Herb Zilly, the clubhouse was opened in its entirety for the first time.

6/3/39

The Michigan City Yacht Club was founded as a non-profit organization "for the promotion of yachting." Every effort is being made to increase racing activities for sail yachts, to organize club cruises for power yachts, to develop the vitally important junior program and to carry on the social life of the Club, both winter and summer in a matter of interest to all members.

Yacht Club-12/24/40

The Sailing Story

The sailing story of the Michigan City Yacht Club could not be written without including the story of the Trinity Church Sea Scouts.

Throughout the early days of the club, in the mad confusion of trying to get everything done at once, the Sea Scout members presented a united front to furnish an inexhaustible supply of youthful energy and enthusiasm.

Tracing the story of club sailing and the yacht club fleet the thread leads directly back to the Sea Scout ship.

It all began in 1930 when four members of the Trinity Church Boys Scouts Troop No. 3 had reached the Eagle Scout plateau. At the same time the new Sea Scout branch of the Boy Scouts of America was gaining momentum.

With no more honors to earn in scouting the four Eagle Scouts of the troop organized, under Scoutmaster Joseph Bisbee, the first local Sea Scout ship.

The Scouts who formed the nucleus of the ship, named the "Yankee Clipper," were Fox Ernst, Jim Dean, Dick Tuthill and Ed Luce. The first officers were: Byron Pendergast, Skipper; P. C. Gale and R. B. Kellog Committeemen; and H. H. Herbert, Commodore of Pottawattomie Council. The ship eventually reached a full complement of 32 bays.

In the boathouse of Dad Ludwig. during the fall of 1930, construction was started on a 40 foot gaff-rigged sloop for R. B. Kellog and Dr. Frank Warren. Sailors of the Yankee Clipper were promised berths as crew members on the sloop that was to be named "Chinook" and work started immediately.

Visitors to Dad Ludwigs boathouse were amused to see the Sea Scouts, warmly dressed for winter, wearing heavy sticky canvas gloves, dipping wooden plugs into shellac and driving them into the hull of "Chinook" with wooden mallets. It was a messy job but it was part of being a sailor.

"Chinook" was launched in 1931 and for the next five years she seldom left the harbor without her Sea Scout crew. After a year of crewing on the "Chinook" and their past experience in building boats even though it was limited to driving sticky plugs in screw holes-the "Yankee Clipper" sailors decided it was time they had their own boats.

Before moving to Michigan City from Sougatuck, Pi Johnson had started construction on a Snipe class sailboat and when he brought the partially built boat to town, Fox Ernst, Jim Dean, Wilford Hahn and Skipper Pendergost immediately began construction of four more Snipes.

In the Spring of 1933 the Snipe Fleet was ready for launching. The Michigan City Yacht Club, too, had become a reality and many of the Sea Scouts were now members of the Club.

In May the stage was set for the launching of the Sea Scout and Yacht Club fleet.

Others were: H. C. Crosby, Theron Miller, and Dan Hutton, members of the school board; David Furst U. S. Coast Guard; Walter Donovan, lighthouse keeper; and Tom Marlin, assistant light-house keeper.

The boats were then taken in tow by power boats and paraded before officials and spectators.

As the last strains of "America," played by the High School band, under the well worn baton of P. J. Myran, faded into the distance, the boats were towed to the basin to the biggest red letter day - a capital letter - that is, "in the club’s short existence." The power of the club’s publicity committee has never been underestimated even to this day.

For the next three years the Snipes formed the nucleus of the club’s sailing fleet, and races were held at every opportunity. Races were conducted from Babe Brown's "Skipper," which acted as race committee boat. The boat flew a large pennant 4x8 feet in size with the letters "RC." In a heavy blow the sail-like pennant could lay "Skipper" on her beam ends.

In 1936 the club also boasted a fleet of racing Corinthian Dinks owned by Dave Root, Bob Vail, Jim Dean and Red Spychalski. In the Chicago Tribune regatta that year off Montrose Harbor , Dave Root was awarded a beautiful and valuable pair of binoculars. This was Arch Ward’s, of the Chicago Tribune, first attempt to stage a boat regatta. It was also his last.

The club had no regular meeting place in 1936 and meetings were held at the Coast Guard station. the Naval Reserve Armory and Mark Moormans Dunes Cafeteria.

The November meeting in 1936 was held at the cafeteria. Before the meeting members were studying the November issue of Rudder magazine which carried plans of a new National One Design sail boat. Before the meeting was over it was apparent the club was to have a new class of racing Nationals.

Although the registration numbers of Nationals today reaches into the thousands, our club boasted the early numbers of 39 to 43. The local fleet of Nationals soon reached 14 boats. Some of the owners of Nationals were: Fax Ernst, Otto Palm, Pi Johnson, Bob & Dick Palm, Red Spycholski, Jim Drain, Bud Orr, Emmy Flynn, Fred Berry, George Panea, Don Lewis, Jim Dean, George Callum, Les and Harold Schaeffer.

World War II broke up the fleet and scattered the sailors. Club racing went into the doldrums with so many members in the armed forces. At the War’s end and the return of the boys, their first concern was to find something to sail. Pete Mills was sailing a Finnish built Tumlaren named "Samara." It was an excellent boat for this end of the lake and soon the members of our club had cornered the market of available Turns. John Heming owned "Askvig;" Ted Albers, " Tara ;" Glenn Miller, "Ruffa;" ,John Reed, "Ellida;" John Locke, "Pink Duck ;" and George Callurn’s "Gracious II."

Many other member owned boats both sail and power, have come and gone in the past 25 years. Long gone too, is the excitement and confusion of the early days of the club. The next chapter is being written by the Junior members as they take over from the aging Sea Scouts. This ends the story as it looked from here.

History of

Michigan City Harbor

Improvement was first undertaken by the Federal Government in accordance with an Act of Congress of July 3, 1836 . Between 1836 and 1870 east and west entrance piers were constructed at the mouth of Trail Creek 1,277 and 1.592 feet long, respectively, protecting a dredged channel 100 feet wide and 12 feet deep. From the time of the adoption of the original project in 1870, dredging was carried on intermittently by both the Federal Government and the Michigan City Harbor Company, but the scope of the work done is not known. Work done under the project adopted in 1870 and subsequent modifications resulted in the construction of the present harbor. The project for the inner harbor channel in Trail Creek at one time would have extended to the Lake Erie & Western Railroad bridge but was curtailed by the act of January 21, 1927 , so that the improved channel now extends to the upper end of the turning basin just above Fourth Street . This same act eliminated the old east breakwater and pier which enclosed the outer basin.

The old east breakwater was originally 1,411 feet long. It extended in an easterly direction to the junction with the old east pier, which extended southerly 1225 feet to the shore. These structures were completed in 1884. The old east breakwater was originally 11 feet high above normal water surface of the lake. Prior to their abandonment in 1927 no repair work was done on these structures. Storm seas gradually breached the breakwater and much of the stone filling was washed into the basin. The old east pier gradually disappeared by continued advancement of the shoreline.

There was no park in 1884 but in 1891 apparently influences were at work to establish a lake front park. As may be observed in the following quotations taken from a Michigan City newspaper.

• The Dispatch. of Friday, July 17. 1891: "The number of people going to the East beach is remarkable: Perhaps no less than one thousand crossed the bridge last evening and the number each evening does not fall far short of this. If a place which is a mere waste of sand can attract such crowds what would be the result if a park were established there?"
• Saturday, July, 18. 1891. "Bathing has become quite popular with the young people, the East Beach being the favorite resort. If someone would put up a permanent bath house and supply same with suitable bathing costumes for rental purposes they could do a big business during pleasant weather."
• Wednesday. July 22, 1891 : "Boating has grown so popular of late in Michigan City that it ought to be an easy matter to organize a permanent boat club here. The Dispatch knows of half a dozen young men who stand ready to become charter members of such an organization.

The assurance of a lakefront park was announced in The Dispatch of August 19, 1891 .

The basin formed by the old east breakwater and east pier was originally about 35 acres in extent. The eastern portion has been filled in by drifting sand and the dumping of ashes and refuse reducing the water area by about one third. Prior to 1936 the basin had never been dredged and could only be used by small craft, the size of which was limited by the narrow opening in the east pier. Sail yachts could not use it because of an overhead fixed bridge. Originally this entrance was 467 feet wide and was entirely closed in 1904. The small opening in the pier was made in 1906 and was about 15 feet wide with a depth of about 4 feet,

The Life Saving Station was equipped with one slide to launch boats into the harbor and another slide to launch boats into the basin. Mr. Judson Alexander built a two story icehouse near the Life Saving Station and cut many tons of ice during the winter months, as did several other parties.

In 1907 the Indiana Club was organized and plans for a clubhouse in the basin were considered but did not materialize.

About 1910 C. E. Labady operated a boat livery from his pier in the basin. Hunting was permitted at the lakefront; shooting was done from the piers and in some instances from Mr. Labady's duckblind which was anchored in the center of the basin. Mink could be found in the breakwater across the North side of the basin and muskrats often chewed mooring lines in two. Mr. Labady’s own flock of ducks would hurry across the basin at his special call, which was of all things, a cowbell.

In 1930 the width and depth of the "gap" as it was familiarly known, were increased somewhat but the water in the basin was fouled to such a large extent by sea weeds that little of its area was available for anchorage purposes.

In September 1933 local yachtsmen began an agitation for improvement of the basin for yachts. They were supported by the officials of the city and the park trustees, as well as by the Lake Michigan Yachting

Association. This effort resulted in the introduction, by Congressman Pettingill, of a resolution adopted by the River and Harbor Committee of the House of Representatives, United States to review previous reports on the harbor with a view to determine "whether it is advisable to modify the existing project in any way at this time." Public hearings were held by the U. S. Engineers both in Chicago and in Washington . Through the sustained and vigorous efforts of all concerned we now enjoy a yacht basin second to none on Lake Michigan . The basin was dredged in 1936 to a depth of 12 feet in the northern portion and 8 feet in the southerly portion, and the entrance to the basin through the east pier was widened to 66 feet. Subsequently the old east breakwater was rebuilt in concrete. A navigation light was established at the entrance and a great deal of beautification work was done by the park trustees. The only facility lacking to make the harbor complete is a public pier or landing for visiting yachts. It is the hope of yachtsmen that at some time in the not too distant future this facility will be provided by our city fathers.

 

Volume 5, November 21 Thursday, May25, 1989

The Michigan City Yacht Club. . .

Gracious Lady on the Lake With a Notable, Colorful Past

by Maggie Beye