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Former Commodore Brian Geraghty, left, spoke on the subject “Celebrating the Bayview Yacht Club Centennial” at Rotary of Grosse Pointe's luncheon meeting May 11 at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. He was introduced by fellow past commodore, Ted Everingham, right. Geraghty is researching the club's history and is helping with publication of a book commemorating Bayview's first 100 years.

 

This club, with a rich tradition, was founded in 1915 not for sailing but rather power boating and fishing.  The first clubhouse was “a used 2-floor corrugated iron shack” which was destroyed by fire in the late 1920s.  By 1928 a new club had emerged with the stated purpose of being an “outstanding sailing organization.”  During the depression the club fell onto hard financial times and 20 individual members volunteered to pay all bills.  A clubhouse was erected and added to over the years.

From 1925 on Bayview has sponsored the Port Huron to Mackinac sailing race, one of the premier freshwater sporting events in the world.  In 1942 the White House authorized the race to continue during the war, pointing to the need for sailing skills to be taught to Americans.  Last year 214 boats raced. 

Photo by John Minnis