Someone -- help me, supply me with more history of the club. History @ WSC
The Articles of Incorporation, establishing Waccamaw Sailing Club, Inc. as a North Carolina corporation, were filed with the Secretary of State, Thad Eure, at 9:28AM, February 8, 1973.
This document was signed by J. M. Coburn, H. J. Will, and Robert W. Dawson.
The Articles of Incorporation make good reading! :-)
August 15, 2001
Gleaned from 1972 Yearbook
Commodore -- Horace Will
Vice Commodore -- Bart Streb
Yeoman -- Rees Jenkins
Purser -- John Ward
Stated on page 2 is the club Purpose:
To provide an association for enthusiastic sailors with
family oriented social activities.
To provide an opportunity to improve ones sailing
capabilities in a safe environment.
To encourage the skill of sailing among our young people for
a life time hobby of peaceful enjoyment and appreciation for another of nature's
many gifts, wind and water.
To provide an opportunity for sailboat racing sailed in
accordance with the current rules of the North American Yacht Racing Union.
The end result we hope to make better sailors and sportsmen
of all those who participate.
I counted 14 Tanzers, 9 Windmills, 5 Fireballs, 7 Scorpions. There were 30 Sunfish listed by sail number and 20 listed only by the sailors name.
I counted 110 names in the printed yearbook with another 10 penciled in.
Hometowns:
52 Whiteville
16 Lumberton
15 Wilmington
12 Lake Waccamaw
4 Fairmont, & Fayetteville
2 Durham, Raleigh, &
Wrightsville Beach
1 Chadburn, Wannanish, Maxton,
Erwin, Morehead City, San Diego, Clarkton, Reigelwood, Spring Lake, Laurenburg,
Kings Mountain, & Mullins
I find 5 of the 1972 members in our 2000 membership list:
Butch Blanchard
Dick & Ann Coburn
Harry Layman
Hubert Newman
Nancy Sigmon
I will surely leave someone out here but the next generation in the 2000
membership list:
Cameron Coburn
Todd Dawson
Ronnie Walters
Now, this is some history!
This
picture is from an 11x17 map of the lake published on one side of the 1973
Sailing Instruction.
The Olympic circle center is 1 mile out at 85d from the club. The diameter is one mile with 8 markers spaced at 45d.
Thanks to Dick & Ann Coburn for the map.
Click for a larger view.
{This history is copied from the 1980 yearbook. Typos and other mistakes are mine!}
HISTORY
OF
WACCAMAW SAILING CLUB, INC.
by
Ms. Ann Coburn
The reason and purpose for the Waccamaw Sailing Club beginning:
"To provide an association for enthusiastic sailors with family oriented social activities."
"To provide an opportunity to improve one's sailing capabilities in a safe environment."
"To encourage the skill of sailing among our young people for a lifetime hobby of peaceful enjoyment and appreciation for another of nature's many gifts, wind and water."
"To provide an opportunity for sailboat racing sailed in accordance with the current rules of the United States Yacht Union."
The end result, we hope to make better sailors and sportsmen of all those who participate."
On July 17, 1969, four area men - John Ward, Dick Coburn, Frank Glover and Tom Hayden - met at the Coburn's "owl's Roost" to set into motion an organization centered on the sport of sailing. They could just hope that their dreams would materialize. At that time there were only six sailboats on Lake Waccamaw. By the end of the first month, eleven families had shown interest, and this group began to organize a club and actually began racing competitively. After three wekends of racing, on September 28, 1969 thirty people gathered for a dinner meeting to hear Dr. Joe James of Wilmington discuss plans on steps that should be taken to form a sailing club. At this meeting the officers were elected: Dick Coburn, Commodore, Tom Hayden, Vice-Commodore: Nancy Sigmon, Yeoman: and John Ward, Purser. These officers were elected for a second term.
After a winter of monthly meetings with guest speakers and "arm chair sailing", the newly named Waccamaw Sailing Club began its 1970 active racing season in April with 35 boats sailing in four classes. Horace Will served as the first race committee chairman and Troy Sigmon laid the brightly colored orange bean baskets attached to inner tubes for a three-mile race course. With Joe Schulken and Joe Maultsby as our safety committee chairmen we began.
The summer was full of activity. Sunfish Fleet #277 received its charter and Alcort sent a pewter sandwich tray to be used as a perpetual trophy. We had guests sailing with us from all over the state. The Tanzer 16 National Championship was hosted October 3rd and 4th. Our sailing participation grew and so did our club membership. Ninety-six families had joined together to make sailing a growing sport on Lake Waccamaw.
In 1971, we grew to seven classes of boats hitting the starting line and we were having so much fun and so many good picnics and cookouts that most anyone was willing to pay $10 dues to join. Tanzer 16 Fleet #2 was formed on January 22. During the Spring of '71 the men met a couple of times a seek to engineer and build with the end result being the barge - "Cleopatra" - a 20 by 12 foot platform resting on four aircraft wing tanks, which was to be used as a race committee barge. With a total cost for construction of $20 and unladylike weight scaled in tons, she had a seating capacity of 20 or 30 and was propelled by a 6HP motor donated by Joe Maultsby, which we are still using. Everyone knew "Cleo". Typically female, she broke away many times and washed ashore at so many different places she was well-known all along the lake frone. There are many funny tales to be told on and about Cleopatra, but she served us well and is a very dear part of WSC lore.
Horace Will took the helm as Commodore for 1972, Bart Streb Vice-Commodore, Rees Jenkins served as Yeoman and also edited our "Luffing News" each month with John Ward holding the purse strings. Ellen Walters served as Race Committee Chairman aboard Cleopatra adding the "Women's Lib" movement into sailing.
During the winter of '72, the Burns' Waccamanian was destroyed by fire, so the Sailing Club activities were held at the Coburn's Owl Roost until 1973. Once again we hosted the Tanzer 16 Nationals in August of 1972, and at our September Regatta 53 boats raced. This was the largest number of sailboats that had ever sailed on Lake Waccamaw at one time.
The Coburn_Bradley Cup was established by the Carolina Yacht Club, Wrightsville Beach, and WSC to promote team racing by Juniors of the two clubs. Each club sent the top seven Sunfish Junior skippers to compete. First race was on July 29 and second race August 19. WAC was awarded the winner's trophy.
1973 saw Bart Streb of Wilmington elected Commodore; Bob Dawson, Vice-Commodore; Harry Layman, Yeoman; and John Ward, Purser and Race Committee Chairman.
Plans moved ahead to buy property for the Club. The agreement to buy 300 feet of waterfront land for a sum of $45,000 was signed with an understanding that theClub lease this site for two years for the sum of $1,000 per year then through sale of shares of stock to families WSC could raise the $45,000 purchase price.
A new pontoon race committee barge was secured through the efforts of Bob Ames for our race committee's use. This vessel became know as Cleopatra II, and from her decks all race official business is conducted.
The State Wildlife Commission approved the permanent location of our racing buoys, using regulation buoys donated by Waccamaw Bank and Trust Company, Herb McKim and Bart Streb. These buoys have been placed in an Olympic Circle measuring a mile in diameter, and this makes the first and only Olympic race course for sailboats in the State of North Carolina. During June WSC was host to the Mid-Atlantic District Fireball Regatta. The Junior sailing team from WAC and Wrightsville Beach sailed for the Coburn-Bradley Cup on July 21 and 22 - Carolina Yacht Club winning the Cup for 1973.
Pat FormyDuval's dream of an Indian Summer Regatta becomes a reality. We were all so pleased with the interest and turnout. Fifty-five boats in seven classes proved that we should make this an annual affair for the club.
Year 1974 Bob Dawson was elected Commodore; Jerry Hege, Vice-Commodore; Butch Blanchard Yeoman; and John Ward, Purser and Race Committee Chairman. We saw another year of sailing activities and social events for the club. The Junior Sailors from WAC did a beautiful job of sailing home with the Coburn-Bradley Cup after their wins on July 20 and 21. The Laser District XII Championship Regatta was held during May with 42 boats registering. Waccamaw Sailing Club became an associate member of SAYRA (South Atlantic Yacht Racing Association) hosting an invitational for member clubs of SAYRA the second weekend of September. Indian Summer Regatta also served as the North Carolina Sunfish Championship, bringing many new sailors to Lake Waccamaw for the first time. A ramp for launching boats on the property was completed adding another important convenience for the 74 families who are now members. A club Sunfish Match Race Championship was added to our growing list of regattas with Jess Coburn winning the first place award which will also be an annual competition.
-During 1975 Tom Hayden served the club well as Commodore with Harry Llayman Vice_Commodore; Dick Coburn, Yeoman; John Ward, Purser; and Tom Price Race Committee Chairman with his four faithfuls giving us 18 point races. A five acre plot directly behind the shoreline property - "Potssherd Paradise" was bought for future development as parking, camping area and tennis. Our Pinky's Galley Trio had city water and sewer installed on the property and a 110 foot pier was erected - Hollinshed and Broadwell Boardwalk; the Henry B Wyche was made ready for our flag staff and picnic table, and a Lightning sailboat was donated to the club by Bob Ames. We hosted the SAYRA Invitational, Tanzer 16 National Championship, again seeing Ival Elliott as National Champion - the third year, Coburn-Bradley Junior Sunfish Team Racing, and Indian Summer Regatta which also featured the handicap race for the WACCAMAW CUP donated by Federal Paper Board Co., Incorporated. The winner was Ivan Elliott in a Tanzer 16. Jay Will captured the Waccamaw Sailing Club Sunfish Match Races, and our traveling sailors enjoyed competition from Falmouth, Massachusetts, to Savannah, Georgia. A full year of sailing, social gatherings, cookouts and fallouts at the volley ball net.
With boats on dry land for the winter, everything on the property closed down for the cold days ahead. Everything was remembered --- except the water was left on --- Yep! Frozen pipes. Hello Spring! Springs everywhere.
Harry Layman was elected Commodore for 1976: Bob Ames, Vice-Commodore; Jim Hutton, Yeoman; John Ward, Purser; and Horace Will was appointed Race Committee Chairman.
Under the leadership of this fine group, we began another full and interesting year. After the major plumbing repairs, the next land project was leveling and ditching the Indian's trash pile or "Potsherd Paradise"' our property across the canal. Harry really worked Milton Blake and his borrowed heavy equipment. We haven't seen member Blake since this project was completed, and the heavy equipment companies that demonstrated how well each piece would do its job finally caught on that there were really no serious buyers...Only by that time, the land was level, and canals were dug.
Another ramp was added under the leadership of Bob Ames. This time the concrete slabs were poured on dry land, then hauled into place. Many bets were made about this method, but it worked! The sailing season was most successful from its April beginning until the last starting gun signaling the winner of the Waccamaw Cup race, a finale to October Indian Summer Regatta. The red letter day had finally come when our mortgage was paid off in full. With happy hearts and fun filled memories of hot dog and hamburger cookouts and Bar-B-Q's and great companionships, we await our change of the Watch Dinner meeting to seee who will be at the helm of our lovely ship "The Waccamaw Sailing Club". Guess Who?
Harry Layman was elected Commodore for another year, still full of vim and vigor, and all are wondering, "What does Sara feed him"? But he's off and running with new ideas and plans for his executive board mand of of Jim Hutton, Vice-Commodore; Bob Frazier, Yeoman; John Ward, Purser. And let me say right here what an asset John has been and meant to this club, with his dry wit, wonderful sense of humor, financial knowhow and genuine love for sailing and seeing this club grow. He has been a true inspiration to all of us who know and love him. He has given to us all in a very quiet way an real meaning of fellowship and sportsmanship that is a treasure in our sailing family. Linsay, we thank you for sharing your John Ward with us.
On May 29th our newly erected pavilion, or observation deck, was dedicated with full honor and colors with an address by the Mayor of Lake Waccamaw, Tom Elliott. Ribbon cutting honors were done by Susan Glover, daughter of the late Frank Glover, one of our founding fathers, and our responsive reading and prayer was conducted by the club chaplain, Bob Dawson. A nice crowd was on hadn to join in the celebration with races and ending with a picnic supper on the grounds. What a thrilling day for WSC. We have done so much on so little with the help and hard work of so many.
Mike Tyndall, manager of Waccamaw Bank & Trust Company, Lake Waccamaw Branch, presented the Club with a large color photograph of our Sunfish start (taken by Paul Jennewein of the Wilmington Morning Star) and used on the cover of the state bankers magazine March Issue of the "Tarheel Banker". Paul is another person who has meant so much to WSC. He keeps up with all our sailing activities and has given us great publicity since our beginning with written articles and photos.
During the summer the George Robinson's and children, David and Kim, who have recently moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, made and sent a beautiful leaded stain glass window of a sailboat sailing into the sunset to be hung in our new building. The note that came with the window meant a great deal also and let us know that the Reason and Purpose set forth in our histories beginning was fulfilled. We are doing what we set out to do.
The sailing races are getting more interesting as the classes are learning more and more about what makes a sail boat go faster and that it is a must to learn the sailing and racing rules. But now the lead changes from one to another, the same skipper and crew aren't winning every race except with the Tanzer 16 "Cats". Ivan Elliott and Jack Vereen are a hard team to beat by locals or imports.
Jim Hutton, another hard worker, was elected to the Commodore seat for 1978 with Bob Frazier, Vice-Commodore; Vivian Hollinshed, Yeoman; and John Ward, Purser. After the chains and underwater hardware was replaced in the racing circle bouys all the plumbing was repaired, the property was ready for another full season of use. However, before anyone could get their boat in the water, the men decided our pier needed to be extended. So another project was underway. The 100 foot long dog leg was built by the men but paid for by the "Pinky's Galley Hens". Now everyone has a place to tie up and you don't have to be first one back to the dock any longer, 210 feet will handle everyone. Several civic groups and church outings were held on the property io introduce families to what WSC has to offer in the way of recreation. Also, a day camp for scouts was conducted one week, teaching swimming, boating and crafts. Eighty-three families were members now and our club sailing waters were known throughout the state as tops. We hosted Lightning Class Districts, Laser Districts, and match and team races, and we ended the season (with the clam-bake) which is still being talked about.
Since Jim Hutton has retired from his professional job, he has spent many hours working on Club jpkeep and needs. We were fortunate to have all our properties in A-1 shape, including a new finish on our club house floor by the Change of Watch Dinner in November.
When Bob Frazier was made Commodore, he needed a new broom because our former Commodore had worn the old one completely out On his command ship of 1979 new watch officers were: Vivian Hollinshed, Vice-Commodore; Bill Drake, Yeoman; and John Ward, Purser. Horace Will, Race Committee Chairman with his right hand helper Betty Fege, is back on the barge, declaring to retire at the end of the summer. It should be noted that Becky Frazier and Cathy Singletary took on the job of managing "Pinky's Galley", not an easy task, but a wonderful convenience for Club members. Especially when special functions brought in sailors from out of town, it was nice to be able to buy a hot, freshly prepared sandwich. Many thanks to the many women wh helped provide this much needed service to our Club. Mary Hutton and Paula Worth have spent many hours of preparation for the nice picnics, cookouts, and covered dish suppers we have each month after our monthly races are held. We thank those who buy the paper cups, drinks, ice, paper plates, napkins, toilet paper, paper towels and clean up after the fun filled day is over and the crowds are gone. The trash has to be picked up, cans taken to the street, bath rooms cleaned, and sand swept away so that everything is in order for tomorrow. These things always get done, by whom? Thanks!!
At the first of the 1979 season, after the Civitan Club had enjoyed using the facilities for their family outing, an anonymous member gave the wood for folding tables to be made. The Club bought the legs and Jim Hutton made eleven (11) beautiful tables, each seating 8, and these were enjoyed at dinners throughout the remainder of the summer. A Sunfish raffle was the Club project to raise money with the drawing held on July 4. Mrs. Howe, from Fayetteville, won the Sunfish. The project was acclaimed a huge success. A new split-rail fence was bought and erected replacing the old telegraph pole fence through the philanthropy of Hez Walters who not only paid for the new one, but hauled off the old one.
When the Tanzer 16 Class sponsored a sailing seminar prior to the Tanzer Districts, with instructor Mike Crowley, USYRU Sailing Instructor from Newport, RI., teaching the class, attendance was real good, and all sailors taking part have shown a marked improvement in their sailing skills.
The most disappointing moment came when WSC did not have enough junior sailors to field a team against the Carolina Yacht Club for the Coburn-Bradley Cup. The CYC team was invited up for a wiener roast and sail for Saturday afternoon, but no competitive team racing was held this year.
All were saddened by the Race Committee Chairman, Horace Will's anouncement of retirement at the end of the season. We couldn't think of any appropriate way to mark this occasion, but he did it for us by shooting Sara Layman, his reliable time keeper in the backside with the starting cannon --- and blanks can hurt! How sore it was, but that was Sara's end and also the end of Horace as our Race Committee Chairman. He has done a most outstanding job and given the club many hours of valuable service.
Vivian Hollinshed of Fayetteville will serve WSC as Commodore with Bill Drake, Vice-Commodore; Jeff Worth, Yeoman; and John Ward, Purser. Bob Dawson has volunteered to be the Race Committee Chairman for 1980. Another Sunfish raffle is being planned, and the boat has been bought. So our new season is getting off to an early start. Get your boat ready and come join the fun! With the 108 families now in the Club, we should see crowds using all the facilities every weekend.
{Thanks Ann. Did the club exist during the 80's and 90's? Anyone!!}