Santa Barbara Yacht Club
Santa Barbara Yacht Club was first founded in 1872 with its original corporate charter dated 1887 for a period of 50 years. It is interesting to note the Santa Barbara Harbor was not constructed until 1927. The Santa Barbara Yacht Club has a long tradition of sponsoring races around the Santa Barbara Channel Islands.
COMMODORES:
- 1918 Dr. George Selmon Wells (1863-1946)
- 1925 [[OVINGTON, Earl|Earl Ovington}
In the News~
January 11, 1881 [SBDP]: “Santa Barbara’s Harbor. The harbor of Santa Barbara is destined to make this city’s future. Large enough to accommodate the fleets of the world, safely sheltered… Once in five or ten years a severe southeast storm visits this portion of the coast, and the waves rolling in at the southern entrance of the channel, render the harbor insecure. At these times vessels are compelled to run across the channel, a distance of some fifteen miles, and seek shelter under the lofty cliffs of Santa Cruz Island.”
July 6, 1882 [SBDP]: “A yacht club. The pleasure excursion of the yacht Casco, yesterday, caused a revival of the oft repeated question, why does not Santa Barbara have a yacht club… Mr. J. Doulton’s Dashaway has proven an entire success, and should stimulate others to follow his example, and own private yachts, but in any event clubs should formed, and at least one large first-class yacht should be placed on the channel.”
May 18, 1887 [SBMP]: “The charter members of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club met at General S. W. Bacus’ office yesterday to complete organization of the club by the adoption of by-laws, and the election of the following Board of Directors: A. L. Clark, S. W. Backus, L. C. Dreyfus, Walter N. Hawley, Wm. M. Eddy, A. E. Putnam and W. N. Cowles. A. L. Clark was elected president, F. M. Whitney vice-president, A. O. Perkins, secretary, and Charles A. Edwards, treasurer. A long list of names was proposed for membership and the meeting adjourned until Saturday evening at 8 o’clock. The Club has been duly incorporated and the Directors will push matters so as to be able to have a regatta at the opening of the railroad, if possible. The election for Commodore and Vice Commodore was postponed for a future meeting. Life membership is fixed at $100. The Club starts with fully ninety members; annual membership at $20 for initiation and $10 for annual dues. Visitors can enjoy the privileges of the Club on payment of $5 per month, or $20 for a season. The Directors have written to San Francisco for information relative to yachts offered for sale.”
(DATE??) The election of commodore and vice-commodore was postponed until later. A board of directors was chosen. Life membership is fixed at $100. Annual membership is $20 for initiation and $10 for annual dues. Visitors can pay $5 per month.”
April 5, 1899 [SBMP]: “…Since the Lark was launched the interest in local yachting circles has increased and now bids fair to grow to such proportions as to warrant the organization of a yacht club, which would be a good thing for the town and would afford no small amount of pleasure to a large number of people who would like to see some good yacht races on the near future.”
December 23, 1906 [SBMP]: “…Boat club? Yacht club? Ain’t none here… That’s the exact situation in Santa Barbara today… Once upon a time, the writer is informed, a yacht club was organized here. It gave itself an attractive imposing name. It held many meetings. It elected a full compliment of officers, from commodore down… The members were enthusiastic on paper… Somehow the idea didn’t get below Haley Street…”
January 4, 1908 [SBMP]: “In line with the proposed coming of the yachts from the southern waters to hold regattas here in the coming fall, J. D. Lowsley, at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce last night, spoke in favor of Santa Barbara organizing a yacht club of her own. The suggestion met with favor and the secretary was instructed by motion, to call a meeting of local yachtsmen to meet at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce in the near future, to take preliminary steps toward the organization of such a club. Dr. Stambach stated that there were a number of young men here who handle small yachts with expert skill and that interest in water sports was deepening. There should be a local club, he said, to give the visitors the proper sort of nautical welcome to these waters.”
January 29, 1908 [SBMP]: “… There are ardent yachtsmen in this city. But somehow they never seem to get it together. The invitation is now out from the Chamber of Commerce, following a decision of that organization to foster such a club. And under the wing of the Chamber of Commerce the club should grow to be independent, to live in its own home down by the water side, with its moorings and its nodding craft at anchor…”
July 2, 1917 [SBDN]: “The Santa Barbara Yacht Club returned yesterday from a cruise to the islands aboard the Royal. The party of 20 members of the club left here Saturday afternoon and returned late yesterday.”
June 18, 1919 [SBMP]: “The return of skipper E. J. Gourley of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club is anxiously awaited here by members of the club as the problem of securing a yacht for a regatta to be staged here within the next few weeks is a paramount issue. It is expected that Gourley, who left for San Francisco last Friday to look over a 65-foot boat in the north, will arrive either today or tomorrow and will then make his report as to what he found in the bay region. A 65-footer in the harbor here would about come up to the idea of all those who are interested in the project. Hereafter the Royal, a craft much smaller, has held the boards here and has always given satisfactory service. But providing the new boat is purchased by the yacht club, a regular crew will be needed and when the boat bends her sails to the wind there is going to be some galloping over the waves noticeable in this section.”
June 26, 1919 [SBMP]: “In the way of adding joy to the announcement that the Santa Barbara Yacht Club has purchased the Caprice, now at Sausalito, members of the club will give a ball at the Belvedere hotel tomorrow evening… Skipper E. J. Gourley leaves for San Francisco Saturday evening, where he will supervise the installation of the engine in the Caprice and look into other details. It is believed that everything will be in readiness to sail with the Caprice to Santa Barbara by next Thursday or Friday. A number of yachtsmen here will leave for the north next Wednesday, for the purpose of boarding the Caprice on her maiden voyage to this city. The Caprice is 65 feet overall; 17-foot beam, has 14 sleeping berths, a fine dining room, is schooner rigged, and on a day cruise has accommodations for 50 passengers. Dr. D. C. Bainbridge is commodore of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club, and George Becker, vice commodore. The Caprice is the fastest yacht in Pacific waters. Yearly it has figured prominently in the Honolulu-San Francisco and Farallones island runs. Her cabins are loaded with trophies.”
May 28, 1925 [SBMP]: “Eighteen members of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club will leave Stearn’s Wharf at 6:15 o’clock tomorrow night for a week-end cruise to Santa Cruz Island…”
June 18, 1927 [SBMP]: “Members of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club will leave this afternoon on the annual cruise to Santa Cruz Island. They will spend the night in the tent city on the island and return tomorrow afternoon. Captain Ira Eaton’s Sea Wolf will be the flagship of the cruise and will take many of the members across the channel. Several other boats also will make the trip. An interesting program is being arranged by Bob Cornwall, secretary of the club, and who is in charge of the arrangements.”
