Senate Resolution No. 5044

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

COMMEMORATING the 148th Commissioning of the North
Shore Yacht Club of Port Washington, New York on May
19, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
of life of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly enriched by
its exceptional recreational institutions; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 148th Commissioning of the North Shore Yacht Club of
Port Washington, New York, to be celebrated at a Ceremony and a Welcome
Reception on Saturday, May 19, 2018; and

WHEREAS, The North Shore Yacht Club is a traditional, family yacht
club committed to the encouragement and promotion of yachting and other
recreational and social activities for its members and their families;
and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1871, the North Shore Yacht Club is among the
foremost pioneers of yachting in America; since 1933, it has been
located on the northern shore of Manhasset Bay; and

WHEREAS, North Shore Yacht Club has traditionally appealed to
sailing families; as often stated, the club's red burgee with its single
horizontal white stripe is simple because there were only about 35 clubs
in the United States when it was approved, leading to a simple credo:
Tradition - with simplicity; and

WHEREAS, North Shore Yacht Club was originally started as the New
York Canoe Club by William L. Alden who had a great interest in sailing
canoes; the first meetings were held at Hickman's Restaurant on Nassau
Street in Manhattan; and

WHEREAS, In 1879, the New York Canoe Club moved into its first
clubhouse on Staten Island, at a time when canoe racing had become very
popular in the United States and England; the American Canoe Association
was organized on Lake George, and William L. Alden was chosen as its
first Commodore; and

WHEREAS, Then followed locations at Stapleton, Staten Island, and
Bensonhurst on Gravesend Bay, Brooklyn; in 1920, the Club moved to Long
Island Sound leasing the old Garrison's Inn at Fort Totten; and

WHEREAS, Victor Ostling, an active member of the Club, acquired a
barge from Moran tugs which served as their clubhouse at a government
dock at Fort Totten until 1933, when it was towed to Port Washington and
tied up at Copp's Boatyard; and

WHEREAS, Later, Victor Ostling purchased property just to the East,
the Club's present address; he offered $30,000 if members would raise
$10,000 for walkways and a dock with provision for a generous renewable
25-year lease; and


WHEREAS, In 1960, Vice-Commodore F. R. Gruger designed the present
clubhouse, and it was dedicated in that same year; and

WHEREAS, After Victor Ostling passed away in 1988, members purchased
the club from his widow, Linnea; upon her death, she graciously
bequeathed $50,000 to the Club, which constructed new floats, galley,
launch and gangplank; and

WHEREAS, In the early years canoes were used for cruising, sometimes
overnight, and for racing; the New York Canoe Club established the
International Challenge Cup in 1885, and the first challenge came the
next year from the Royal Canoe Club, with New York earning the victory;
and

WHEREAS, The United States successfully defended the Cup in 1888,
1890, 1891, 1913 and 1914; the British won the cup for the first time in
1933, and it was 1952 before the Americans won it again; and

WHEREAS, Even before the Club moved to its present location, many
cruisers and sailboats were in the fleet; today the Club conducts
several races, and members take part in Long Island Sound and Cow Bay
races; and

WHEREAS, Members can vie for the Snyder Cup, the Borden Cup, the
Ostling Cup, the Smith Cup, the Klor Cup, the Commodore's Cup, the
Freedom Cup, the Reiman Trophy, the Epstein Trophy and the Rosenberg
Trophy, as well as the Loda Trophy for distance cruising; and

WHEREAS, In 2002, Past Commodore Yehuda Rosenstock initiated the
annual "Moonlight Regatta" overnight race to Connecticut with breakfast
at the Club the next morning hosted by the winner, which has since
become a perennial favorite; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, members continue to maintain the
clubhouse, docks, parking lot and launches; they also enjoy water
recreation and summer festivities while also giving back to the
community; and

WHEREAS, The rich history of the North Shore Yacht Club has formed
it into the prominent organization it is today; in so effectively
carrying out its mission, the Club exemplifies a spirit of community
pride, and demonstrates the values of generosity, cooperative effort and
enduring fellowship; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 148th Commissioning of the North Shore Yacht Club of
Port Washington, New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Roger Lifson, Fleet Captain, North Shore Yacht Club.