Winter 1990 Newsletter
📄 Download PDFNewsletter of the Friendship Sloop Society Commodore’s Message I just want to take a few minutes to comment on this past year and then review the plans thai we’re working on for 1990. This past year was another strong year for the Sloop Society. As you read the membership report, you’ll see that the number of members has held steady, and this year’s renewals are coming in at a rate that we think will exceed the membership numbers of 1989. An important statistic that stands out in my mind is the 5095 participation by active sloops in the New England and New York areas. It indicates to me that interest is still high in the Sloop Society. Ernie, our treasurer, reports that we’re still solvent and that we can still pay the bills. 1989 was also a year we tried some new things. In an attempt to keep you up to date of what’s happening in the Society, we decided to publish this newsletter three times a year. Our Race Committee Chairman, Bruce Morang, tried a couple of new race formats at Boothbay, and the Executive Committee decided to move the Annual Meeting to the Maine Maritime Museum. The atmosphere and the facilities of the museum were great and added to the ocoassion. 1 990 will mark another milestone for the Society, our 30th annual regatta. The 1990 calendar has been set and will include a race and cookout in Friendship to celebrate the occassion. Boothbay will be slightly different from the past few years. We’ve decided to scrap the sealed orders race and return to three days of trophy racing. The race formats will be determined by our Race Committee Chairman, Bruce Morang. The Executive Board has decided not to have the dinner after the awards ceremony, but to use the barbecue pit behind the club for a cookout which have become popular in the last few years. We are also organizing cruises from the East and West as we did in 1987. The plans for the cruise from the West are included in this edition. If you’re interested in coordinating the cruise from the East, please let me know. We’re hoping these cruises will help those who have not made the trip to Boothbay before, and provide for a good turnout this year to celebrate the 30th. Lastly j my thanks to those who have contributed their time this past year to make our events a success. Without volunteers, we would not exist. Annual Meeting Held at Maine Maritime Museum fblfowtng minutes- of ff»
77» Treasurer. Receipts: Dues: Boat Owners Full MemJoers Cooperative 1 989 Treasurer’s Report report frss £«v? su&fnftfetf by £rn» Wtegiet), 1990 2,275.00 600.00 210. 00 1989 3,685.00 700.00 430.00 4,815.00 Burgees Decals 1989 – 58.00 1990 – 29.00 Trophy Certificate Interest Banquets: Regatta 310.00 ’88 Annual Mtg 51.00 ’89 Annual Mtg 1,332.00 Regatta Entry Fees Donations Total Receipts – 1989 Disbarseneiits: JLdad.iid.str-a.tive : Printing 270.71 Postage 1,063.06 Supplies 2,008.86 Burgees 474.50 Begatta Expense: USYRU Membership 75.00 Race Insurance 300.00 Trophies 394.29 Plaques & Engraving 220.00 General Insurance 310.00 Aprons – Downeast EmJorod. 179.55 Bruce Mbrang Expense 111.14 Roger Duncan Prog. Book Exp 72.75 John Vojcik Expenses 377.50 Mary Cronin Expenses 17.97 Banquets: Refund – 1988 Dinner 51.00 1988 Dinner Expense 108.40 1989 Annual Meeting 1,530.00 3,085.00 7,900.00 495.00 87.00 123.95 1,693.00 620.00 155.00 11,073.95 3,817.13 Executive Board Meeting Expense 1989 Badlock Trophy Donations Secretary’s Salary Bad Check Total DisJbmrseneats: Receipts over- Expenses Checkbook Balance – l>ec. 31, 1989 2,058.20 1,689.40 39.00 89.77 950.00 1,000.00 65.00 9,708.50 1,365.45 4,423.73 FOP Sale ~ Two South Coast, model “A”, top action sheet winches. Vorked fine on a Bristol 32 with 300 sq. ft. genoa, Very good condition. Complete with 12″ lock-in handle, “Vinchers” (rubber self-tailing device), and mounting screws. $100 the pair. (207)865-3675 Secretary’s Notes (Continued from Page 3) Vord has reached us of the death on February 3rd of Jean Hamlin, wife of Society handicapper and honorary member, Cy Hamlin. Cards can be sent to Cy at: 18 Dane Street Kennebunk, Maine 04043 Craig Rowley of Amston Ct. wrote: I am the owner of the sloop Nomad. She is listed as No. 32 in the Society registry, and is reputed to be built by Wilbur Morse in 1906. I am offering Nomad to anyone who will remove her from my yard. All deck hardware, bronze portholes, two suits of sails, rigging and a ton of other stuff come with her. I have had to give up my restoration effort and hope someone in the FSS will find a place for Nomad John G. Collins of the Ellie T. hopes to attend the New London races in 199Q. He’s captain of a 120’oyster- boat in Long Island Sound and Pecomc Bay. He’s building a replica of an 18th century jolly boat for a local historical society. The museum in Florida where Joe Richard’s Princess been displayed is closing and Princess needs a home. Joe’s hoping she’ll find her way to Maine waters. Call Jim Vilson (603)-431-7004. Jim Drake, Amnesty, is hoping to start a Friendship Sloop regatta in the Chesapeake Bay area. Yearbook Material Needed Roger Duncan sent along the following note: “I anticipate no great problems with the annual booklet if people will send in contributions of stories, incidents, experiences and so on as well as photographs, especially of 1989 events.” Roger has established April 15th as the deadline for material, which can be sent to him at: P.O. Box 66 East Boothbay, Maine 04544
“Teddy” Brown Presented Bill Hadlock Memorial Award The Bill Hadlock Award was presented to past commodore Teddy Brown at the Annual Meeting in November. The award, a mounted brass ship’s clock, was presented by Barbara Hadlock, Ted, who lives in Kittery , Maine., is the former owner of the sloop Vida Mia, which he owned from its building in 1942, until he sold her in 1976. Ted made the trip to Friendship each year that he owned the Vida Mia, and participated in the first homecoming regatta. Ted, in recent years, has continued to be an active member of the Society, always providing help and support to its members, and continues to crew aboard Al Beck’s Phoenix at the Boothbay Regatta, and last summer in Marblehead,, crewed onboard Jim and Andrea Wilson’s Old Baldy. The Bill Hadlock Award, established in 1987, is named after our past commodore and owner of the sloop Heritage. The Hadlock family established the award and set the following selection criteria: – Has promoted safe sailing by evidence of sound seamanship in conjunction with an abiding love of and respect for the sea. – Has nutured and promoted family participation in the Society’s activities. – Has shown a strong willingness to share knowledge and help others. – Has enthusiastically promoted the goals and aims of the Society. – Has been a strong advocate of the beauty, charm, and splendor of the Maine coast. Past recipients of the award have been : 1987 – Marq and Roger Duncan 1988-Dick~Salter Roger Duncan First Annual Bancroft Award Recipient Roger Duncan, skipper of the sloop Eastward, was presented the first annual Vinthrop Bancroft Award by Jack Cronin, who was chairman of the selection committee. This year’s award was a framed pen and ink sketch of a Friendship Sloop drawn by Consuelo Hanks of the Sarah Mead. Established in the memory of Wlnthrop Bancroft by his family , the award is presented to a person who has made a significant contribution toward the perpetuation of the Friendship tradition. The award might recognize an outstanding voyage, the launching of a home-built sloop or the restoration of an old one, the work of a poet, painter, or a model maker. Roger is best known as the co-author of the Cruising Guide to the New England Coast. He has also written th# books friendsfip $foopf and Eastward – A Maine Crvise in * Friendship Sfapp. Roger is currently the editor of the Annual Yearbook of the Sloop Society . Computer Fund Started The fisffowsw? letter frvni Dick Salter vas recefvtfty tfre 1 3> December 1 989 Dear John : As you know, I purchased fifty Friendship Sloop Society jacket patches from Downeast Embroidery this fall. The purchase was done out of my own pocket and did not concern any Society or Mass. Bay Group finances. The patches were sold to the membership at our annual meeting in Bath this past November. I am pleased to report a net profit over expenses of $50.00. At the annual meeting I was disturbed to learn that our secretary is still using a borrowed computer to conduct the Society’s business and maintain its records. I feel that this overlooked situation should receive the immediate attention of the Executive Board. Last evening our Mass. Bay Group had its annual dining out party in Manchester. At the dinner I announced to the assembled mergers that the $50.00 profit I have received from the jacket patches is being forwarded to you as seed money to fund a computer system for Secretary Mary Cronin. Please find this check enclosed. £d. Note: Additional patches way stflfde avafla&le Dtcfc ivfa> can be reached at : f5f Bridge Street Manchester,
Executive Board Meeting – January 20, 1990 The Executive Committee meeting was held at the Seamen’s Club Restaurant in Portland. Commodore John Vojcik called the meeting to order at 1 1 :10. The Secretary’s report was passed out to the members and the Treasurer’s report was accepted as read. A discussion of the “budget” followed, and 1990 anticipated receipts and expenses were outlined on a sheet calculated by John Vojcik. Elbert Pratt gave the report of the Scholarship Fund and stated that probably nine seniors this year would be looking for college funding. Total of the fund: $45,059.98. On motion made by Bruce Morang,. seconded and voted unanimously : That the report be accepted along with an expression of thanks for a job well done. Al Zink gave the membership report and mentioned that a story for Roger and the yearbook would be forthcoming on tracing a “lost sloop”. Al commented that memberships seemed to be coming in well. Reminder notices to unpaid members will be sent out first of February. John Vojcik mentioned the Mass Bay Friends of Friendships tour of the USS Constitution and our newest member is now Commander David Cashman, Commander of the Constitution. Her measurements were enjoyed: (year completed – 1797 and L.OD – 204′) when compared to most of our fleet. The Maine Maritime Museum report was presented by Bill Rand. He stated that the museum was pleased with our meeting and would enjoy having us again. Bill discussed the meal and the comments that were received from those attending regarding the dinner. The new director of the MMM will be at the museum in February. Policies will be set and plans made for the coming year. Nathan Lipfert who is the librarian, is completely snowed under by the tremendous number of articles, books and documents which must be stored away. Possibly volunteering our assistance to help out on the FSS materials would be appreciated, which Bill and Al Zink have already done. At this date the MMM does not expect “anything” from us, but would appreciate our members volunteering for various activities/functions. Until the new director sets priorities/policies, our role will be to “wait and see”. Al Zink mentioned the problem that he and Bob Brooks have securing numbers, registrations, etc. of each and every sloop. Three-quarters of our sloop records are incomplete. Al mentioned that they would like pictures of sloops for file use. A great deal of work remains to be done before the files can be transfered to the Maine Maritime Museum. Yearbook editor Roger Duncan gave his report on the yearbook — stating his need for stories and photos — particularly of the 1989 races ~ all must be in his possesion by April 15th. Race Committee Chairman Bruce Morang reminded the board that this is the 30th Anniversary of the Society, in particular July 22 is the actual anniversary of the first race per Betty Roberts, which is one week prior to our racing in Maine. The Zubers have suggested a rendeevous and clambake which they will put together, a memorial service followed by a race and then our return to Boothbay. Discussion followed. Bernie McKenzie mentioned that in the early years Sunday racing was not allowed. Betty, Elbert and Connie felt that this was not a problem. The calendar of events was then discussed and decided upon. Bruce Morang requested a commemorative plaque for only those skippers attending in Friendship. All agreed. Bill Rand mentioned that the Museum would be disappointed if the sloops did not visit the museum this summer. Bruce suggested that changes are being made in the race format. There will be no more sealed orders race, and the race committee is working on using government buoys for a handicap system race. The regatta banquet was discussed and it was decided that because of the popularity of the grill in the back of the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, that it will be fired up on three nights. Ve will request that a cash bar be provided by the club on those nights, including after the awards ceremony . John Wojcik opened discussion on the Annual Meeting. Comments were reviewed on the meal, lateness of the hour the meeting started, lack of time to socialize, and moving from meeting room to lobby and back again. Suggestions : Vork with the Museum where a speaker (theirs or ours) could present earlier in the afternoon in conjunction with the MMM and the FSS; our annual meeting would start at 5:15; shorten the business meeting by providing copies of the reports thus allowing more time for dicussion on decisions to be voted by the membership; possibly look into a different set-up for serving meals. Bill Rand felt that the facilities presented some difficulties for the caterer. A discussion was started relative to assets owned by the FSS. Roger Duncan mentioned he has a large box of photos (Continued to Pag* 8) – 6 –
30th Annual Regatta Scrapbook Articles in f9&7, Carffon S/rnmoflj-fWJWjfctffwp scrap&txtfcs to tie Svc&fy which contain a wealth of newspaper cfippinffs *w/ from the earfy day & of the Soc»ty, fc£ thought we Vprxifa few absx/t ottr firs-t regatta, Sloop Racing Revival Focuses Eyes and Lights on Friendship “Welcome Lights” to Glow Friday Night; Races Saturday The coastal area will focus its eyes and lights on Friendship and tts harbor to the “East’ard” tomorrow and Saturday on which latter day “Sloop Day,” featuring a 1 6 mile race will be held. Deadline for the race entries occurred Tuesday with the following registered: Probable boats racing: Amity built by Wilbur Morse; length 28′, owned by JR. Wiggins, Washington, D.C. Banshee; length, 30′, owned by Ben Waterworth, New Bedford, Mass. Dictator; built by Robert McLain, Bremen; owned by Dr. Alan Chesney , Baltimore, Md. Eastward; built by James Chadwick, Pemaquid; length, 32′; owned by Roger Duncan, Concord, Mass. Ellie T; owned by Roger Thorpe, Bath Finette; built by Wilbur Morse; owned by Frank P. Smith, Wethersfield, Conn. Friendship; built by Wilbur Morse; length 29′; owned by Robert Cavanaughj Scituate, Mass. Golden Eagle; owned by William Haske 11, Marblehead, Mass. Jolly Buccaneer; length 45′; owned by Richard Swanson, Rockport, Mass. L’Aigl* D’Or; built by S. Gannett; length 24′; owned by John Adams, Marblehead, Mass. Mary Anne; built by Lash Bros. Boat Yard, Friendship; owned by Capt. John Dallett, New York Sadie M.; built by Morse; length 30′; owned by Cmdr. Jarrison Prindle, Castine Yacht Club, Me. Taimis II; built by Scott Carter, Friendship; length 38′; owned by Douglas Randall, Quincy, Mass. Vida Mia; length 30′; owned by Ted Brown, Kittery Voyager; length 30′; owned by Bernard MacKeneie, Scituate, Mass. Vilbur Morse; built by Carlton Simmons, Friendship; length 28′; owned by C. Wilfred Brann, Augusta Tern; built by W. Morse; length 26′; owned by Charles W. Snow, Middletown, Conn. The Course The race will start on a line between Red Nun buoy no. 8 off Martin’s Point and George Merrill’s boat anchored off Long Island. A brass cannon of the War of 1812 will fire the starting blast. The course leads over toward Killick Stone and Thi*f Islands, past Black Island to Thompson Island; back between Crane and Franklin Islands where handicap buoys will b* picked up in open waters and sloops will head for the finish line in Friendship harbor, details of which will be announced over the loud speaker system. In addition to the sloops there will be races for sail boats and outboards in three classes: Up to 15 years of age and 10 horsepower motors; over 15 years and up to 25 horsepower motors and open class; above 25 horsepower motors. Al Roberts handled the entries with trophies for each class. (Continued to Page 8) Friendship Sloop Society Set, Annual Race Plotted on July 22 FRIENDSHIP – An annual race of the famous “Friendship Sloop” type sailing craft July 22 came a step nearer Sunday with the formation of an organization. The Friendship Sloop Society became a legal body through the election of officers and signing of incorporation papers. Bernard W. MacKenzie of Scituate, Mass., was named president. He had contacted the town, birthplace of the famous sloops used for fishing and sport under Wilbur Morse. Ralph Wichenpaw, representative to the legislature, was named vice-president; Herald A. Jones, Friendship, secretary, and Carlton Simmons, Friendship postmaster, treasurer. At the meeting also were Janet Messenger, Scituate; John Gould, Lisbon Falls Enterprise editor, Robert Elliott, of recreation, DED. Purposes were listed as “incorporating all past and present owners of Friendship Sloops and other interested persons, and promote an annual race and regatta out of Musccongus Bay .” It was listed as nonprofit and as a recreational society. Specifications for boats to qualify as “Friendship Sloops” were listed. Because some of the boats applying to race were taken from original Morse models, but altered in construction or rigging to such an extent they don’t meet Friendship specifications on all points, a special classification was established, with trophies, so boats could be included in the race. Two alternate courses were also plotted, of about 17 miles each, and plans made to select a race committee and experienced judges. The new officers said that about a dozen sloops may be in the race. – 7 –
First Friendship Sloop Races (Continued from Page 7) Bernard MacKenzie, president of the Friendship Sloop Society , is on his way to Friendship in a Friendship Sloop, flying a 15-foot “homeward bound” flag in recognition of the race. President Mackenzie has informed Harold Jones, race secretary t that he is being followed by a power boat from Bath. Aboard the power boat is Newark, NJ Evening News reporter, Phil Stowell, who has recently completed a series of articles on Sloop Day for some New York papers. Mr. Stowell is on a photography assignment for Life Magazine. He will take pictures of the race and of the events featured in Friendship. The race is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday and will last for six hours. During this time spectators will have many activities in which they may participate. Scheduled for the day are the following events: 11 :30 a.m. Open House at the boat shops. 12 noon Lunch 1p.m. League baseball game. Friendship vs. Thomaston. 1:3Q p.m. Sailing race by members of the Friendship Yacht Club. 2 p.m. Outboard motor races. 3:30 p.m. Sloops should be approaching finish line opposite the wharfs in Friendship harbor. 5 p.m. Lobster-clambake supper. Tickets for 300 on sale at information centers. 8 p.m. After-race buffet supper served in town hall. Governor Reed will present trophies to the winners. Friday evening at sundown – Friendship becomes a reality. Visiting sloops and craft will be at anchor. Homes wills be lighted, especially homes facing the harbor. Goats with lights mounted will wind their way among the craft. Those on shore win carry a light of some kind as folks mingle with neighbors and visitors. The Friendship Sloop The Friendship sloop was originally built as a work boat, a fisherman’s boat designed for speed, weather and ease of handling. They were inexpensive to build. A 28-footer cost $780 in 1899. Today’s cost would run 10 or 20 times the 1900 cost. The Morse family of Friendship, particularly Wilbur Morse, became so idnetified with the sloop that the words “Morse” and “Friendship Sloop” are particularly synonymous. Wilbur Morse has an almost uncontested claim to have built the first Friendship Sloop, in 1929, 500 sloops had been built. ” ~ January Executive Board Meeting (Continued from Page 6) from John Gould; Betty Roberts said that the old Governor’s Trophy is in the Friendship Museum and the Burnham and Merrill canon is on loan from the Museum to the Society; Betty also said the Society owns a portable amplifying system which is at her house. John Vojcik will order a new large burgee for the Society since the one owned by the Society cannot be found, and was not available for the regatta and annual meeting. John also mentioned that the flagpole in Friendship has not had an American flag flying at recent memorial services. Elbert and Connie Pratt volunteered to make one of their flags available for the memorial service planned for July. Because the Society has no gavel, Dick Salter volunteered to supply one. Jack Cronin mentioned his concern about the condition of the flagpole in Friendship and asked who owned the land the flagpole was on — Betty Roberts will find out and report to the committee at the next meeting. John Wojcik mentioned that Dick Salter had sold FSS patches and forwarded a check for $50 to be put toward the purchase of a computer for the Society. The Computer Committee (Wojcik, Besse and Wilson) will come up with recommendations and the concensus of the Executive Committee was to spend in the area of $1000 and seriously consider the acquisition for 1990, something compatible with other computers now being used within the Society. John Wojcik reported on the winter edition of the “Newsletter” which will be coming out in February . Commemorative Stamp Proposal: Jack Vlbber has done a lot of work on this and we will hear more about it soon. Next Executive Committee Meeting: March 24, 1990 (Place to be determined) Dick Salter (with tongue in cheek) presented the Secretary with a L.E.A.D. 2.5 WORD PROCESSOR which he requested be kept with Society assets just in case a computer was not secured shortly. This asset was a framed collection of various size pencils, sharpened and unsharpened, with erasers and without, along with printed explanations of their uses! It was also suggested that the Secretary write a letter to the Governor of Maine requesting his attendance at our 30th Regatta when plans are finalized. The meeting was adjourned at 2:30. Sincerely Submitted, Mary Cronin, Secretary – 8 –
