From Floyd Nixon’s canoe and PercWilliamson’s small power launch toDutch Schmidt’s 78-ft. world class maxiand John Steven’s SORC champ…

From five young men, all bondedby their love of the sea, to eighthundred men, many world renownracers, and leaders in USYRU…

From a small three story tinboathouse on Motor Boat Lane to amodern, five thousand square footclubhouse, “The Shrine of NauticalCulture.”

Three-quarters of a century hasbeen graceful to our Club and mycharge as Club Historian to recount thehistory of our seventy-fifth anniversaryhas been an extremely difficult, yetpleasant task: difficult in that all of ouroriginal members and club records arelong gone and only a handful of oldermembers remember the constructionof our present Clubhouse, much lessour original clubhouse on Motor BoatLane; pleasant in the enjoyment I’vehad researching our archives, reviewingold minutes, and interviewing oursenior members.

As stories that pass from decade todecade tend to become exaggerated,

they obviously dwindle in factualnessand I have therefore attempted toseparate the fact from fiction andrecount not so much the history ofBayview Yacht Club yachting, certainlyimportant and our raison d’etre, but thisfacet of our history will be chronicledin the next two yearbooks. This shortbiography is focused on the members,the Clubhouse, and club personnelthat have often been forgotten but haveall contributed to the success that hasmade Bayview what it is today.

This is not the first time that thehistory of our beloved Bayview YachtClub has been recorded in the Burgeeor the Yearbook. Com.Perc M. Scottdid it, Com. W.J.A. “Bill” Nagel hasdone it, (not only in writing but also atthe bar), George Van did it, and nowit’s being done again.

It is well documented our originalclub was founded by Messrs. Nixon,Scott, Kurtzwarth, Williamson, Deitrichfor $14 a piece. Of the five originalmembers only one was interested insailing, or yachting as it was referred toin 1915-that was Perc Scott, our thirdCommodore whose reasons for gettinginvolved was his need for a well for his

boat. The other Bayview boat was acanoe used for fishing. Now, this wasnot the type of fishing that was done infront of the Club. Nope, just for thesake of better fishing and fun, theseboys would hitch a tow behind the oldsandsucker “Emery” and were towed all

the way across LakeSt. Clair to the flats.They’d fish all dayand then row withthe current backacross the lake in theevening. FloydNixon was the avidfisherman of the fiveand he loved the oldClub for its large

metal sink in the corner of theClubhouse that could be used forcleaning the fish in the summer and forholding coal in the winter.

Two other good reasons forbecoming partners in the “old corrugatediron shack on Motor Boat Lane”- thebuilding was rightnext door to awomen’s swimmingClub and justaround the cornerfrom Bill Ortman’sbootlegger’s transferpoint speakeasy.Couple all that witha third-storydormitory and inmany minds that made it a perfect placefor “gentlemen” to spend their leisurehours. It appears that there were quite afew people who thought the same thingbecause the Club grew at a steady pace.

This growth was spurred on by aninterest in sailing and the addition ofmore boats to the Club’s roster – fromthe fishing canoe and PercWilliamson’s power launch with sidewindows, to the first sailing yacht “Wrinkle.” The yacht “Wrinkle” wasjust what was needed to put BYC onthe map as a Club that was going tospend a lot of time in the Winner’sCircle. “Wrinkle” was of the 18-ft.

30

Seventy Five Years of Glory – A Trilogy

Reprinted from the 1990 Yearbook and Roster

of Bayview Yacht ClubBy Michael A. “Grizz” Thompson,

Club HistorianAssisted by H. Andrew Kimmel

Part I, A Brief Non-Yachting Historyof Bayview Yacht Club

Motor Boat Lane, circa 1925. Lower left: Gas dock where fire started. Lower right:Corinthian YC. Directly north and partially hidden: Bayview Yacht Club.

BYC Founder,Lloyd Kurtzwarth

————

BYC Founder,Perc Williamson

————

31

class which meant that her rating orclass was decided by the length of herwater line. This stout little vessel wonseveral of the weekend races and alsowon the “Champion’s Trophy,” theseason championship award for 1915.A Grasser catboat was purchased byJohn Lausch and than there were two.Another sailboat “Iseulo,” a “Q” boatwas purchased by Commodore Scottand made it three.

By 1919-1920 the members ofBYC were into the spirit of racing andthe “Chewink” came to our Club andwe don’t know if she was a rule beateror not, but a boat in 1920 with a finkeel and spade rudder sure must haveturned some heads. Next came twoBuzzards Bay boats imported from theeast coast which were of the 21-ft. classwith an overall length of 42 feet, a littlemore overhang than we’re used totoday. These were followed by our first“R” boat at the Club, “Neagha”purchased by Harry Breadon, KarlBehringer, and Lloyd Kurtzwarth.

In May of 1919, the DetroitWater Commission formally gave uspermission to moor out boats in thebay directly south of the WaterworkPark and east of our Clubhouse.That winter we almost lost ourprivileges when Perc Scott let hissloop ice-in and was soon a total loss.Our plea to the Commission that we

were not irresponsible was finallyaccepted and our privilege wasextended another season.

Our rent, $65 per year for theclubhouse and $60 per year for the twowells in front, paid annually toHerman A. Schmidt, soundsreasonable for the time but there wasobviously some unrest amongst ourmembers, witness: February, 1921 aletter from the South Shore Yacht Clubin Milwaukee to our club secretaryArthur Jenkins in response to a lettersent by Lloyd Kurztwarth. Theirpresent clubhouse, a three mastedschooner, was indeed for sale $2,500.This letter described the Club’saccommodations which included a“hurricane deck which has provided uswith an excellent place for our (SSYC)Saturday evening dances.”

Our lack of response to this offerI’m sure was not due lack of interest,but lack of funds in June, 1912, DetroitEdison shut off our “current” for non-payment of a six month bill totaling$16.10. Undaunted, the followingFebruary we investigated with the Citythe possibility of leasing property at thefoot of St. Jean or Harding since ourrent had just increased to $135 per year(including wells) and a member, Mr.E.J. Bureau wrote of a rumor he hadheard – “Gregory was going to teardown our building and put up some

other structure.”Despite our lack of funds, the

growing respect of our peers in thelocal yachting circles due to ouraccomplishments on the race course,we began to look and act like a club. InAugust, 1922, at our monthly meetingwhich was attended by all membersback then, “Kurtz” donated a beerpump and the next month it wasdecided by members Emhof and Plattthat from thence forth an electionwould be held to decide on Rear, Vice,and Commodore, not the usual “It’syour turn this year. I did it last.” Thenext month we set up a cleaningschedule for the upstairs and furtherdecided that if we could afford one tonof coal we would remain open allwinter. We must have for in theNovember meeting at the clubhouse itwas reported we had $257.45 in thebank and we decided to purchase BYCin the bank and we decided topurchase BYC had emblems for all at$.50 each and investigate the purchaseof a “radio outfit.”

In May of ’23 you can imagine thesurprise of our members when Sec. OfState Charles Deland returned ourannual corporation filling fee of $15and stated “the name adopted may notbe used, in as much as we have ofrecord a corporation bearing the samethe same name.” How could this be?Upon investigation it was discoveredthat the Resolution was never filed atthe County Clerk’s Office in 1919 asbelieved; we were not a corporation,and now we were faced with a changeof name to perhaps “Bayview YachtClub of Detroit.” (No Club recordsexists today explaining how we got outof this predicament.)

The following month our Club(and now a corporation) purchasedlumber to cover over the first-floor boatwells, purchased $138 worth of wickerfurniture, and had our firstmembership applications printed.Coupled with a grand piano on thesecond floor and a house ruleprohibiting the awakening of sleepingmembers in our third-floor dorm withthe starting cannon (it had causedseveral mattress fires), the BYC wasbecoming somewhat civil. The sinkwith the coal in it had given way to abetter galley and a head was available

Clubhouse during construction, 1930.————————

albeit not much more than an enclosedcorner with a missing floorboard.

With Bayview’s growingreputation and the fact that it was aclub run by sailors for sailors, themembership continued to grow. Wejoined the I-LYA and started longdistance racing around Lake St. Clair.In the summer of 1923 the editor of“Yachting” magazine, Mr. Herb Stone,came to Detroit to cover theHarmsworth Trophy powerboat race.He must have heard how much funthose BYC sailors were having becausehe asked to be put up in the thirdfloor dorm. I don’t suppose this hadanything to do with the fact that thiswas during prohibition and BYC wasso close to that speakeasy? Well, Herbmade friends with some of the sailorsand talked them into chartering the“Lloyd W. Berry,” a convertedengineless, old fishing schooner forthe 1924 Bermuda Race. He evenwent along as navigator and in trueBYC flair they went east, won Class Cand third overall in the race. This wasthe first time a group of midwesternsailors had entered an ocean race andwon. You can be sure that made thecover of “Yachting”.

During that same summer, despiteour annual rent increasing to $175 andour inability to pay our Michigan BellTelephone bill (Hickory 1654-W), webought a bird! Not just any bird, mindyou, but a genuine Double YellowHead parrot named “Al”. Purchased bymember Cherry Sloman, he went toRoyce and Passmore, Inc., “The OldestBird Store in Detroit,” and paid theequivalent of five initiation fees for oneparrot at $40, one cage at $11.25, anddon’t forget the seed and gravel for$.50. Maybe our priorities were slightlyderanged, no telephone and a $50parrot named “Al”, but the city didn’tthink so as in August the JeffersonAvenue Improvement Assoc. asked forand heartily received our endorsementfor the construction of a new airport tobe built at Conner and Gratiot.

By the summer of ’25 and havingtasted all that salt water, the Bayviewsailors decided to stay a little closer tohome and in fresh water, so theystarted the Mackinac Race. The PortHuron Power Squadron had juststarted and since they liked that ideatoo, they formed a partnership which

still exists today. Preparations startedin the winter with BYC hosting“Coastwise Navigation School,”probably a forerunner of today’s winterseminars and clinics. In June theHeitman – Garand Co. printed up 500race programs for $55.29 and we wereoff and running.

The first race was reported as asmashing success. Just to give you andidea of what it took to win a Mackinacin the early days, here’s a story about the“Neagha.” It appears that she had alittle trouble off Forty Mile Point andlost a headstay. The jib halyard was tiedaround the bow of the boat, a man wentaloft and jury rigged another halyard,the jib was hoisted looseluffed, andthat’s the way they crossed the finishline, losing class honors to “Bernida.”

The first Class A boat was “Suez”and she won with an astounding timeof 88 hours but she almost didn’t makeit. It seems the old girl was takingquite a beating off Port Sanilac and bythe time they reached Harbor Beachthey were leaking so badly that theydidn’t know if they would make thatharbor, let alone Mackinac Island.They made the harbor, took the sailsdown, enjoyed a Sunday Breakfast, andstarted necessary repairs. Whenfinished on Tuesday, they again headedoff for the Island, arrived on Thursdayand won their class!

By 1926 our reputation wasgrowing as was our membership whichnecessitated the issuance of “engravedmembership cards,” but our clubhouseand boat accommodations were taxed.A land acquisition committee wasformed consisting of Com. TomArcher, Bill Kittles, Doc Wilson, and

Perc Williamson who collectivelysearched for a site of future clubhousewhich we would own, not lease, as onMotor Boat Lane. By 1927 they founda tract of land projecting into GrayHarbor, a small bay with the old Berryhouse to the west an Ed Gray’s Marinato the north. This long narrowpeninsula was actually landfill fromdredgings and in the near future, theremnants of the old PenobscotBuilding and the Old Post Office(Shelby and Fort St.) which would berazed by a Bayview member who wouldaugment the fill.

For the remainder of ’27 and intoearly ’28 talk and plans for a newclubhouse continued. The BuildingCommittee solicited pledges frommembers, held a community-wideraffle to win a Star Boat with proceedsgoing into our building fund, and TomArcher had his Fisher BodyConstruction Department prepareplans and specifications.

All our efforts solidified in Marchwhen the Anchor Press was contractedto print up 2016 light green BYCprospectus’ of our new clubhouse andwhat a clubhouse it would be! A largeClubhouse complete with terra cotatile roof (very chic at that time) was tobe built on the proposed property inGray Harbor at the foot of ClairpointeAvenue. “Dining room, grill, cardrooms and locker rooms are includedin the building plan. Ladies’ lockerand retiring rooms, wide shadyverandas and an attractive lawn…”Last but not least was of course theswimming pool. The new BayviewYacht Club was stirring in the womb.

Contracts were awarded to O.R.

32

Drain line being installed during construction.————————

33

Pribble Company for a new seawall andBroach-Heinmiller Company for thesparshed and clubhouse. By July 1928we were under construction. Aclubhouse was no damn good without aplace to dock and haul your yacht so thefirst thing to go up was the sparshed,followed by our elevator. PercWilliamson, head maintenance engineerfor Fisher Body, designed and built itand it was such a marvel it was featuredin “Yachting” several years later.

By fall our enthusiasm was on theincrease but the financial backing wason the wane. We were entering whatwe thought was a mild recession andsome of our members were renegingon their pledges. So in November aspecial meeting was held at 42 MonroeStreet, the old Frontanec Inn, and wasattended by 56 members. Com. TomArcher (VP of Ternsted) and Rup Bell(Secretary-Treasurer of S.S. Kresge)chaired the meeting. Even Bill Kittleswho had lost his wife that morningwas in attendance, due to ourimpending financial crisis. It wasdecided the Bayview Yacht ClubHolding Company would be formedand capitalized by 21 members eachsubscribing to a $2,500 bond. It wasalso decided however that ourspectacular Italian Renaissanceflavored Clubhouse would yield to amore utilitarian structure but wewould complete our sparshed with itstwin towers and terra cota roof asoriginally designed.

By the following April thesparshed was complete, by July thepilings were finished and work on theclubhouse commenced. Built ofcinderblock, it consisted of the men’shead (present location), main lounge(Mackinac Room), card room, (wherethe stairway is now), dining room(salad bar room), galley and sandwichbar (Blue Room), and a screene- inporch with awning (Main DiningRoom). No office, no bar. That’s rightno bar. Do not forget, this was a timeof temperance, though governmentmandated; but when an unquenchablethirst for spirits arouse nothingstopped our stalwarts from sailing overto Peche Isle where liquor and lagerwere in plentiful supply.

For years it has been thought (andromanticized) that our originalclubhouse on Motor Boat Lane had

suddenly caught fire in 1927 or 1928and we were out in the cold with noplace to go. That just isn’t so. On May29, 1929 just as our new facilities wereunder construction an agreement wasreached with our landlord, John Bras,to continue our lease on a month-to-

month basis but at a raise of $28 permonth. On June 30th we did notrenew our lease and seven days later,our Club burned (sounds suspicious.)

Sunday, July 7, 1929…At 2:30 a.m. fire fighters of Ladder

Co. #14 were awakened by a call thatMotor Boat Lane was ablaze!Responding immediately they realizedthis fire was beyond their capacity tofight alone and a second alarm wassounded to Engine Co. #26 at Craneand Briket. Unable to get theirapparatus down the narrow docksalready burning out of control, thefireboat “James Battle” was summoned.Docked at the foot of Joseph Campau,she charged up the river through thenight, under the Belle Isle Bridge andinto Motor Boat Lane. “The blazediscovered in the Dick Locke marinefilling station at the end of the dock,opposite the yacht Club, spread swiftlyto nearby boats and buildings whenexploding gasoline tanks sprayedflaming oil in all directions.”

By 6 a.m. the fire was out. Eightyachts were destroyed, our neighborthe Corinthian Yacht Club wasdestroyed as was Schmidt’s boat livery,but most important our old clubhouse,its records and memories were gone

forever. One can imagine the surpriseof Lynn Stedman, Bill Sisson and othermembers returning home from the I-LYA series at Put-In-Bay to find theirClub gone and in Sisson’s case, all theclothes he owned were in the third-floor dorm.

Our members’ fears of recessionwere solidified in October when WallStreet crashed but constructioncontinued since we were now without aclubhouse. In the infinite wisdom ofour leaders, they decided that perhapswe should purchase the property whichnow had a sparshed, wells elevator, andclubhouse well underway. OnDecember 23, 1929 the BYC HoldingCompany purchased the peninsulawith a mortgage obtained from theUnion Trust Company. This wouldnot be the last time our Club wouldmake improvements on land notbelonging to us as will be seen later.

Due to the short supply of funds,

Drain line being installed during construction.————————

Gray Harbor and our docks, 1933.————————

the general contractor merely“roughed” the clubhouse. Memberspitched in to finish it by laying thefloor, painting, etc. Rup Bell, andamateur blacksmith, fashioned thewood grate and fireplace tools for thethen massive fireplace. Bill Mitte builtthe ship’s wheel chandelier that stillhangs in the Mackinac Room todayand one of our more financiallyprominent members, Alger Sheldondonated three massive oak tables fromthe tack room in his Grosse Pointestable, and we purchased 672 squarefeet of carpeting for $215.

In the early thirties we were verycasual. A member, Fred Graham actedas part-time manager. He collecteddues (in cash), bought food andbeverage, and did light office duties.In the yard Homer Burdino, thoughtto be our first employee and who livedin the south tower in the sparshed,worked on and hauled boats by dayand donned his white flannels andworked in the Club at night. Onemorning in 1931 Homer observed asmall catboat flip directly in front ofthe Club so he hopped into his launch,retrieved the errant skipper, andbrought him back to the sparshed todryout. He was then escorted to theclubhouse, introduced to members,and was so enamored with our club hedecided then and there to join andpaid the $350 initiation fee. The nextmorning our newest member, DavidSloss, returned to his new Club andfound it padlocked! Two days laterAlger Sheldon approached our

bondholders Frazier Whitehead, BobKales, Rupert Bell, Lynn Peirson, KarlBehringer and 14 others who eachoffered $300 additional and bailed usout of impending bankruptcy. Twoweeks later the Club reopened, theinitiation fee dropped, and so didDavid Sloss when he found out.

About the same time Esmond

Avery and Sherry Stone appeared onthe scene with their 43-ft. Aldenschooner ”Silhouette.” Esmond wasthe leader of the Sea Scout Troop #404from the Jefferson Avenue PresbyterianChurch and each Saturday his SeaScouts would crew in the DRYA races.By 1935 everyone of them had joinedthe Club as junior members, with thelikes of Bud Burt, Jim and TomFrench, Joe Matte, Harry Pratt, PaulTruba, Fred and Chuck Wagner, RustySerenberg, Jim Stone, and everybody’sfavorite Jim Mardison. Bayview wasfinally getting some new blood.

By 1933 the 18th Amendment wasrepealed, Elliot Ness had put away hisaxe, and happy days were here again.The sandwich bar was replaced with areal bar, a beer cooler was put in the

dining room where the waitress stationis today, and Peche Isle lost some of itsmystique. Ed Gray sold his property toHarry Garland who promptly changedthe name of the marina at the end ofour canal to the Clairepointe Marinaand the boat livery was opened on theeast side of the canal directly acrossfrom our elevator.

Ted Farnsworth took over thereign in 1934 and it finally looked likethe Club was gaining momentum.With the insurgence of new youngmembers (and money), Homer wasable to spend more time in the yard bythe hiring of Benjamin J. Taylor-porter,bartender, cook and friend. One of hisfavorite pastimes was to sit in thelounge, a 22 caliber rifle in hand, andshoot rodents through an openwindow adjacent to the fireplace.

34

Ben Taylor’s work station; today, our Blue Room.————————

1937 Sparshed Fire.—————

Bayview Yacht Club as it appearedshortly after comletion.————————

35

Back then we had no west harborand Conner Creek came right up nextto the Club except for the base of anuncompleted bridge. A Detroitordinance stated that all privateproperty (Berry home) must beconnected by a bridge to city property(western edge of BYC) so Berry builttheir two-thirds but somehow the Citynever built their third and the bridgeremained in that state forever. As ainducement to get several houseboatswhich were permanently moored in thecreek to leave, several membersthreatened that they were going tocomplete the bridge and the boatswould never get out. Finally aftermonths of prodding, several of the boatswere hoisted onto land and this becamesome of Clairpointe’s first homes.

In the mid-thirties house accountswere unheard of. Food was purchasedby cash and drinks were dispensedthrough coupons which came in“Thrift Books.” One dollar purchased$1.10 worth of tickets which wereincidentally printed by the PfiefferBrewing Company, an obviousadvertising ploy. The idea behindtickets was for greater inventory controlbut unfortunately these tickets werealso purchased by cash, a practicewhich would later come back to hauntus. Another drawback was the methodof their disposal. “Big Bill” Buckleywho was hired shortly after Ben, wouldhaul the spent tickets out to a 55 gallondrum next to the chimney and burnthem. He would no sooner leave andhere came the members fishing themout of the fire before they burned.

On April 5, 1937 fire once againplayed havoc with the Club, this timeour sparshed. At 8:00 p.m. HomerBurdino in his apartment smelledsmoke and ran up to the club and gotCom. Avery and Ray Priebe. Togetherthey attempted to douse the fire but itwas too far advanced so the firedepartment along with our old friendsthe “James Battle” brought the fireunder control in three hours. The northand south tower were saved but much ofthe equipment belonging to Dave Sloss,Ted Farnsworth, Perc Williamson, RogerMarquis, Eddie Wunsch, and Tom Lottwas lost. Their main concern was not somuch the cost of masts and sails, butthey would likely miss much of theupcoming racing season.

The late thirties under Dave Slossand Trent McMath saw continuedgrowth and success. Mary Kotilo joinedour staff as full-time cook, part-timebartender, and provider of food – navybean and hearty fish gumbo soup. WhenNewcomb – Endicott Department Storewas torn down, they saw to it that thestore’s flagpole was brought to the Cluband erected in the same location aspresent to proudly fly our burgeeoriginally designed by Perc Williamson.

1939, 1940 was the beginning of along lasting relationship at the far endof the canal or “lagoon” as it was then

called. Joe Matte, Irv Jorgensen,Bobbie Roadstrum, and Arnie Fuchswere new young breed – not so muchmoney-but boat owners just the same,all sailing “C” boats. Collectively theybecame known as “Lagoonatics” whothree years later were instrumental ingetting Charlie Beck, the young“People’s Choice” elected commodore.

At our annual meeting inNovember, 1939 Rear Com. HermanPetzold recommended that a portionof the BYC Holding Company’s bondsbe redeemed as soon as possible sincewe had a few dollars in the bank andwe were, after all, paying interest at onepercent annual. The motion passed.

Perhaps more important was the hiringof Ulysses “Uly” Matlock, and thefollowing year of Curtis Hicks, bothinterchanging as waiter and barkeepseach having had backgrounds as adining car waiter.

In 1940 and ’41 under theleadership of Com. Petzold andCharlie Beck, many firsts (and lasts)were instituted: a power boat, BillMitte’s “Seashell” was docked at ourdock (last); posting of delinquentmembers (first and probably forever);dues remained at $25 per year (last); inNovember, 1941 Com. Beck noted thatwe had “$1,700 in the bank and $4700in debts” so he personally loaned theClub the difference (the first and thelast); and initiation fees were reducedfrom $195 to $25 (definitely the last).

December 7, 1941…The Imperial Japanese Navy

attacks Pearl Harbor and our PresidentFDR asks for our help – Bayviewresponds with a beer party honoringthe Coast Guard to show our support.On the more serious side, 105 out of250 members served in active dutyduring the war, a greater percentagethan any other club in Detroit area.Dues were waived for anyone in theservice and a plaque honoring them

Perc Williamson’s RAINBOW duringWWII.

————————

Alger Sheldon studies plans of the new Clubhouse.

——————––—

Clubhouse with old porch and pot belly stove.————————

was placed in the lounge.At our annual meeting December

12, 1942, Com. Beck had a “toast tothese men and all members presentdrank heartily,” and after, cards signedby all those present were mailed to allmembers in the Armed Forces. Bayviewwas concerned about the curtailment oflocal racing activities until FDR’spersonal secretary wrote to us sayingthat yachting was actually encourageddue to the navigational and boatingskills derived from our sport whichwould certainly help train future Navypersonnel. So we painted big numberson the bows of our yachts, notifiedCleveland seven days prior to makingany passages, and continued sailing.

Minor sacrifices were made suchas temporary curtailment of ourtrapshooting, not due to lack of claypigeons, but as Chairman Charlie Foxstated, a “bottleneck in obtainingshells.” Also in ’43 due to theproximity of all the All Night Race andBarthell Trophy series and resultingparties, the Club was closed five days inSeptember to conserve our liquorsupply. Major sacrifices were the lossof two members, neither due to hostileaction, (one drowning and one heartattack) yet still lost while on active duty.

The war caused a definite drain onour membership (and dues) and so toattract new members all initiation feeswere dropped and dues of $25 per yearwere frozen. Alger Sheldon got intothe spirit and offered to maintain theBYC Holding Company interest rate atone percent for the duration of thewar. Perhaps these concessions helped.In April of ’42 our Treasurer Clark

Swart noted “we have $739 in thebank, $2,500 in receivable, and payableof only $999.94.” The tide wasdefinitely turning but too late torenegotiate the offer made by EdGregory the previous June to purchasehis next door marina for $40,000!

1943, after the death of his wife intheir apartment, saw the retirement ofHomer Burdino, our first employee,and his replacement in July by PeteNadeau at a salary of $175 per month.

In March, Floyd Nixon presented tothe Club his oil painting of the originalclubhouse which is still in our diningroom; a $1,500 bond placed on oursteward Ben Taylor (something’scoming), and Neil Hall, our HouseChairman, purchased the back bar for$592. Perhaps most interesting andimportant was a motion by TrentMcMath to pay an additional $4,000towards the principal on our one-percent loan.

Com. Bill Mitte’s 1944 tenure,while still a war year, saw continuedfinancial growth. By September withexcess cash in the bank, Past Com.Charlie Beck and seconded by R.C.Henry White approved another $6,000prepayment on our note. By Octoberolder Homer was so homesick for theClub and his friends, he decided tojoin himself but due tes while anemployee – “Homer Follies” – a men’sonly film club whose job was tocritique movies of dubious quality.(The purveyor of these films, a pastCommodore, was given 30 days.) Oneof Com. Mitte’s final accomplishmentsin September was the authorization toenclose the old porch. While the morenostalgic members felt the loss of theold pot belly stove and Bud Burt’ssurprise garden hose showers was atravesty to tradition, they agreed largerdining facilities would mean greaterrevenue and the Club started gearingup for its first expansion.

In January, 1945 Com. TedWerthmann immediately authorizedLloyd Kurtzwarth to purchase newtables and chairs for the new room; inMarch Dr. Tom Sage was told to spend

36

“Homer’s Follies?” No, BYC awards banquet circa 1936.————————

Members enjoying the river in front ofnewly added dining room, circa 1947.

————————

Dining Room with bar behind, circa 1947.————————

37

up to $1,000 for a new refrigerator; andin anticipation of increased cashreceipts, Mary Kotilo was bonded for$1,500. Bayview was all dressed up fora party but no place to go. It seems theWar Department felt the war effortshould take priority over our additionbecause conduit, wire, pipe, wood andespecially glass was in short supply.September second of that year Japansurrendered, the war ended, ourhonored veterans began trickling home,and our addition wasn’t finished.

In the immediate post war yearsof ’46 and ’47 our membership swelledto all time highs and under theleadership of Hank White and DonFreeburn respectfully, we prospered orso we thought.

In May Boyd Benkert authorized$1,200 be spent for a photo montage inthe dining room which was producedby member Sandy McGregor andgraced the walls for many years to come;RC Chuck McGregor recommendedour Jukebox next to the fireplace besold for the best offer over $60; in May,Gov. Eddie Wunsch recommendedthat Ben Taylor be reimbursed $75 torepay him for expenses paid out of “his”pocket; and at our December, ’46meeting the general membershipagreed a $25 dues increase ($59 peryear) was warranted, but most notablewas the financial sophistication of themembership. “Be it resolved, eachdepartment will be charged a pro rataamount for overhead and P & LStatement for each department will bepublished quarterly.” (When is the lasttime we saw this?)

In 1947 Mary Kotilo was joined byKittie and in the yard a Scandinavian,Thor Ibsen, fresh from the Fisher BoatWorks, appeared on the scene andbegan a lifelong career of odd jobs ofvarnishing and painting members’boats and although never officially onour payroll, helped out in the harborfor the rest of his life. By May our bankaccount was flush and Com. Freeburnmade a motion that the $5,400 balanceon our one-percent mortgage be paidoff by our annual meeting in October.So be it. At that meeting a joyous“mortgage burning” was ensued by theTreasurer’s report not being accepteduntil a P & L Statement and balancesheet be mailed to all members. Thelast point of business was a discussion

concerning the termination of ourdining room concessionaire, DavidBruce. This prompted Com. McGregorto propose “In consideration of thevolume of business in the bar anddining room – (we should consider) – astudy to hiring of a full time manager.”There being no further business ourmembers left for home, attentivelyavoiding the bun laden floor, remnantsof the traditional “bun fight” duringdinner. (Another Bayview traditionlong past.) Thank God.

Apparently, Sandy McGregor’sadvice was not heeded for in May of’48, one Perry Webster was hired as aDining Room Manager. Websterlasted only four months, so Ben Taylorresumed his former position ofSteward in addition to his other dutiesand was given a raise of $15 per weekplus a bonus of 10 percent of the netprofit of the dining room (don’t tellJerome this). In November of ’48 ourloose spending and previous pre-payments on our old one-percentmortgage resulted in a severe cashshortage and we were forced to borrow$5,000 from NBD at four and one-halfpercent. This, coupled with a newhouse rule sponsored by Arnie Fuchsand Eddie Wunsch that the “Bar bestag except on party or regatta days” letto a temptuous annual meeting inJanuary, 1950.

The Bayview wives must havedone some real heavy lobbying, for areferendum vote was called on the“stag only” house rule at our meetingand it was voted down 100 to 62.While no one could question sailingabilities of the four previouscommodores, it was doubtful the wordpro forma cash flow was in theirvocabularies, which prompted R.C.

Robert “Chum” Kerr to recommend aseries of checks and balances beinstituted in the form of a ControlCommittee, which would receive aportion of all future dues and thismoney would be held in reserves andcould only be spent with theirpermission. Motion passed.

1950 passed with no majorproblems, thanks to the fine managementskills of Eddie Wunsch. In May, wepurchased our first television (Muntz) setfor $590 and an ice machine for $1,624.In November, Perc Williamson requestedand was given funds to purchase ourpresent trap house.

At our annual January meeting in1951, two of our found-ers Perc Williamsonand Lloyd Kurtzwarthand an early member,Harry Breadon weremade our first LifeMembers. In March,Bill Nagel was givenpermission to takeover the sponsorship

of the North Channel Race, previouslyrun by the “C” Class boats of the DRYAand due to the United States entry in tothe Korean Conflict, an Armed ForcesClass of membership was started. In ourdining room, a new waitress, DorothyMercurio was hired in June. Nicknamed“Sam”, she soon became a permanentfixture whom the members came to love.In July, Al Thomas was given $4,687 tobuild the first kitchen addition designedby member Dave Davenport.

Chum Kerr’s 1952 term was like1941, a year of firsts. EntertainmentChairman Jim Markie and Red Staceyproposed a “Clambake” party whichwas an immediate success. Much to theconsternation of many old salts, BYC

Mackinac Room looking north with Muntz TV and J.L. Hudson amoirs used as trophy cases.—————————————

Harry Breadon,joined in 1915?

————

held its first Children’s Christmas Partyand member Paul Havelt published ourfirst “Burgee”, which remindedmembers “liquor is not to be brought inand served in the clubhouse onSunday.” The benevolence of ourBoard was unquestioned when $25 wasauthorized for the treatment of our sickcat “Michelle.” The main issue of ’52was the dining room and bar’scontinual losses. “Manager Taylor”(first time the name “manager” hasappeared) was urged for economy infood and drink portions and was askedthat the cash register be checked foraccuracy! These continual losses finallyled to the first charge account system atthe Club and a set of pigeon holeschecks was placed behind the bar.

1953 was a year of expansion. InFebruary, Al Thomas was given $1,200to manage a major Club expansionwhich would include the building of anew first floor bar and a second floormulti-use room. In order to financethis project, donations were solicitedfrom members at a suggested level of$150 each and by August, they reached$13,847. Augmented by an increase ininitiation fees to $150, the additionbegan to take shape. Bill Nagelinspected the D&C Liner “City ofCleveland” with the thought of possiblyusing the liner’s beautiful oak panelingin our new bar but the cost of

reworking this wood was prohibitive soEd Wallach supplied the tongue-in-groove siding that we still see today. Anew $300 PA system was installed but amotion to install a $400 draft beerdispenser was vetoed by Lynn Stedman,Jr. Our old bar which had served us

well for twenty-years was sold to theSt.Clair YC for $250 with the exceptionof a leaf which still remains today – amahogany shelf on the bottom portionof the dutch door between our presentbar and dining room. October 10,1953 BYC had a dedication ceremonyfor our new addition which followed byour first Fleet Review.

Americans “liked Ike” and Bayviewliked W. J. A. “Bill”Nagel who wasinducted asCommodore and leadus through a surpris-ingly uncontroversialyear considering Bill’sreputation. Chef Finleywas hired, as were

waitress Irene and Lee. It was notedthat Ted Coggin had not been thrownthru the old bar window since our newaddition was completed and due to theClub’s new roofline, the fireplace drewworse than before so the chimney wasextended in height; the Club got a newcoat of paint but trimmed in gray ratherthan our tradition Bayview bluebecause of the latters propensity tofade; the sparshed got a thoroughcleaning due to Bob Benkert’scomplaints that the old tool room“smells like a goats’ nest” due to theevery growing army of felines; andFrank Becker donated an anchor from

the Australian prison ship “Success”which proved in time to be the bestdamn babysitter the Club has ever had.

The Christmas spirit must havebeen running high, as the Boardapproved $1,400 in pay increases forthe employees who had not seen an

increase in 30 months. To leave hismark on the Club as all retiringcommodores desire, Bill finally got hisdraft beer installed.

Bill Wiard’s term of 1955 could becalled the best of times and the worstof times.

The best: Our membership rollsshowed 350 activemembers, 16 Juniors,and 10 Honorary andLife; in April the GreatLakes Dredge and DryDock Company wasawarded the job ofdredging andrerouting Connercreek which at thesame time created ourWest Harbor; in July

our stiff leg crane was given to us by theCoast Guard and we installed it onCity property; NBD thought us stableenough to be given a $40,000 line ofcredit at four and one-half percent; thefirst book of BYC matches appeared onthe bar; and Past Com. Ted Farnsworthsuggested a junior sailing program beinstalled for our children.

The worst of times: What todaywe would call “Bayviewgate” started inJune with the announcement ofsudden illness of Ben Taylor whowould not be returning; Uly Matlockpicked up the slack and in July wehired our first full-time manager, Mr.S.A. McLeod at $600.00 per month. Itseems Chuck Coe, our auditor,discovered a tremendous cash shortageand despite an attempt to keep thisfrom the general membership, theword leaked out and at our AnnualMeeting in January, 1956, the truthwas made known.

Our trusted friend Ben hadsiphoned off a large amount of cashdespite our safeguards of chargeaccounts. To make restitutions, Mr.Taylor gave us his home on MacDougalavenue and a check for $4,000 (whichwas rubber) and in return we promisednot to press charges and membershipwas promised this would never happenagain. The remainder of ’56 wasuneventful-Marge joined our waitressstaff, Ford and Uly worked longerhours, well rates increased to $3.00 perfoot, and despite efforts to ward off a$25 per year dues increase by WarrenJones and Jim Markie, it passed 107 to

38

Creation of West Harbor by diversion of Connor Creek, 1954. (Note: Radar installation and barracks, a result of Cold War.)

———————————

Frank Becker————

Com. Bill Wiard“The best of

times-the worstof times”

————

39

7. What should have been our FourthAnnual Fleet Review turned out to beour second, and finally, Fred Runnellsinaugurated our first Junior SailingProgram on a budget of $500. Thejuniors, who were given the NorthTower, sailed in Vinyard Havens and afew of our first graduates were SusieBridge (R.I.P.), Peter Goebel, and Bob“Threads” Benkert, Jr.

1957 thru 1960 under thenavigation of Coms. Lynn Stedman,Jr., John Pottle, Arnie Fuchs, and IvanFiscus can best be described as placidan at Bayview this was good.

Yardman Pete Nadeau gained anassistant, Ray Bylund, who onemorning in February 1957, made thegrizzly discovery of body floating inour West Harbor who turned out to bethat of a member Carl Beever. Carl,somewhat of a loner, lived by himself atthe University Club and when hisrelatives came to claim his body, thediscovered in his University Clublocker, a large brass bell. Having grownup in the East and attending Yale, onenight he “borrowed” the bell from asmall chapel and kept it in hispossession for the rest of his life. Hisrelatives, not wanting it, gave it toBayview where it has hung sincedirectly outside the bar.

Our Junior Sailing Programcontinued to thrive with the addition oftwo $1,300 Interlake sloops. Our wellrates increased from $3.00 to $3.50 perfoot and Bayview’s first membershiproster as we know it now, “The Log” was

published. In 1959 an estimate of$1,500 was prepared for the muchneeded refurbishing of the ladies’ room.governor Howard Girardin suggested we“investigate other and cheaper means.”Finally, builder Dick Kimborough cameforth and completed it for $1,056,much to the satisfaction of the Board(and hopefully to our wives).

In July 1959, ourfirst manager, Mr. AStanhope McLeodresigned and PhyllisCampbell, our officemanager, filled intemporarily until Mr.Leonard Slavik washired in November at asalary of $850.00 permonth. This historian is convinced hehad stock in Gillette because he’s theone responsible for placing thosetenacious “No Parking” stickers on ourwindshields.

Our history of the Club from 1961to 1966 will be mostbrief, not because ofindolence on behalfof this author, butabsolutely nothing ofmajor importancehappened: No graft,no buildingexpansions, nopersonnel changes.Bayview continued it

winning ways both on the race courseand off. Membership remained full,small profits appeared at the end of

each year, the food and drink wereexcellent as always, and our on-again-off-again manager, Phyllis Campbellperformed a Yeoman’s service.

In ’63: L & R constructionCompany received a contract for$4,572 to cover the cinderblock wallsin the main lounge with teak; in Mayour old fireplace was faced infieldstone to hopefully make it drawbetter; Chicago YC and Bayview finallygot rid of our tent and co-purchasedour present finish line trailer; themembership approved the use ofabsentee ballots; our yardman PeteNadeau retired and was replaced by hisassistant, Charles “Gene” Dolan; thebar and restaurant decided againstincreasing the price of our daily specialto $1.95 in fear of “scaring awaymembers”; and in November, ourmanager, Chuck Slavek resigned.

1965,1965 (Coms. Charlie Bayerand Bill Bremer): $10,000 was spenton new recessed lights, ceiling,windows, and an awning for our diningroom; Mich Con Gas Co. finally ran agas line to our clubhouse and fuel oilfor heating and propane gas for cookingwere a thing of the past; BYC windowstickers first appeared on car windowshopefully to alleviate our parkingproblems; a $15 entry fee was imposedon all Mackinac skippers; BYC necktiesfirst appeared; the Club purchased ourpresent tractor (used); our firstCommodore Kirk McIntyre donatedhis bookends; member Tom Petroskypaved our driveway and parking gratus(where is he now?); Hill Hicks, SkipGrow, and Carter Sales learned the old“Parkard Boathouse” now owned byHorace Ford was for sale at a price of$39,500. We made an offer of $22,500and were flatly refused; and finallyBayview Yacht Club celebrated 50historic years with a party attended byall of our living founders.

The second half-century of ourClub begins on a slightly different notethan our first when Com. MauryDeClercq assumed the leadership in1966. In April of that year Carter Salesfelt it appropriate that Flag Officers’flags be flown from the yardarmwhenever they were present; lockernumber two was converted from a saillocker to a women’s shower; thePackard Boathouse was offered to us bythe new owner and fellow member Jim

Leonard Slavicsecond manager.

————

Bill Nagel and Fran along with Coms. Stedman, Pottle, and Fuchs admire the “Beever Bell.”—————————————

Phyllis Campbell————

Markarian for$30,000 while in thedining roommembers dined onHamburger a laNichol and Mariner’sSeafood Platters at$3.25 or perch at$2.30; and in

November a new manager Mr. CharlesNemeth started. Somehow I feel oldLloyd Kurtzwarth never would haveunderstood all this back in ’15.

1967 through 1969 we wereguided by Coms. Norm Werthmann,Tommy Hansen, and Carter Sales, Jr.1967 started out right when theChrysler Corp., who wanted to enterthe marine industry, decided to loantwo “lonestars” to our junior sailingprogram along with the other Clubs ofthe DRYA. They were used all summerbut when it came time to purchasethem in September, Roy Miller felt asdid other clubs they were to tippy andwe stayed with our Interlakes.

A general uneasiness wasdeveloping concerning not only therenting of our western-most propertyfrom the City, but the rates we werepaying. Uniroyal was paying $1.50 persquare foot, noted Com. Werthmann,but we were being charged four timesthat amount. It was decided if the Cityever decided to sell, we shoulddefinitely consider it. In the yard ourelevator was getting tired andconsiderable talk of purchasing aTravel Hoist ensued until the price of$17,000 convinced us to repair ourelevator for $7,000. In September of’67 a new young dishwasher was hirednamed Jerome Adams and the samemonth Manager Nemeth resigned. Noconnection. I think.

At our annual meeting inDecember BillBremer moved ourdues be increased$50 to $200 per year,motion passed; andour membershippaid tribute toretiring bartenderCurtis Hicks.

Tommy Hansen’s Commodore’sMessage in the ’68 Yearbook stated“Other Clubs along our waterfrontmay find a woman at the helm in thenext decade. That could never happen

here,” so we did manly things-a pooltable in the Board Room, Phyllis wasasked to step down as manager and wasreplaced with Mr. Lee Nicholson, and“Jay-Rome”, now a part-time barkeep,experimenting one night stumbledupon a drink even a man’sconsumption was limited – TheHummer, and a mini-charge wasstarted in November - $20 per quarter.Our Club’s manly record wentunscathed all year until the lastmeeting when Gov. Don Smith (Yare)recommended a women’s fashionshow! All day long. At our Club.

Carter Sales’ year of ’69 was fairlydocile. He suggested the BYCchallenge the RCYC for a trophy (longdormant) called the Canada Cup. TheBoard knew little of its history butagreed it might be worth looking into.In June “The Room That Purdy Built”was started. What started out to be an$1,800 screene-in patio developed intoour present Trophy Room with a$2,300 trophy case and carpetingdonated by Ted Likert. Junior sailingtuition was increased to $30 and aClub first – an Assistant Manager Mr.Harold Smith was hired.

Com. Howard “Redeye” Girardintook the helm in 1970 and his firstofficial function was to try andconvince the DeClercq “twins” whowere almost in tears that the rumor theJunior Sailing would be cancelled thatyear was false and “yes, there would bea program.” In March Com. LynnStedman, Jr. was appointed to RCChairman of the Canada CupChallenge and in the same month itwas pointed out that our bar stoolswere in shabby state and a proposal tohave members donate money and brassplaques recognizing their generosity beplaced on the back. The idea waswarmly accepted and you still see theresults today. A Mr. E. Russell Schmidtwas proposed for membership that yearand nobody really knowing himpersonally but his sponsors, his namewas approved for posting. That samemonth Fleet Captain Ted Buttrick wasinstructed to find out the “actualownership of the 12-meter yacht” tiedup to the guest dock and have itremoved promptly. Some 386members attended our now annualClambake Party that year, and a newjob description was written when our

Fleet Surgeon Doc Carlisle Wilsonreported to the Board that “all headshave been inspected and found clean.”

In ’71 and ’72 things began tohappen around the Club. NormGilmore, our Commodore and alwaysa perfect gentleman, finally culminatedthe land deal with the city for $35,000and we finally owned the west harbor,no strings attached. The following yearthe small news was our Club purchasedtwo new Interlakes for $4,944. The bignews was the Board decided on its firstbig expansion program in 18 years. Tobe designed by our now in-housearchitect Dave Davenport and built byAl Thomas, this energetic programwould be financed by the sale of$30,000 worth of five-percentdebenture bonds sold to members andthe remaining $26,000 would comefrom the Control Committee.

A special meeting in Septemberwas chaired by Past Com. Karl Nesswho delivered a well thought out,smooth presentation (only to besurpassed by John Barbour’s in 1989which will be discussed later) and themembers approved it. Constructionbegan immediately and by spring wehad the Canada Cup Room, a newcoatroom, a new walk in freezer andfood store room, a new office whichPhyllis could actually turn around in,and most important, a larger bar.(Author’s note: New members: pleaseobserve splice in north end of bar andyou will see the location of the old coatroom and phone booth.) As anafterthought the Building Committeefelt it in the best interest of modesty toboard up the window separating theMen’s Room from the new office.

It is obvious that our membersback in 1930 were sailors, notcarpenters, as the wood floor in theMackinac room gave out after only 43years so Al Thomas was instructed byStu Argo, our Commodore in 1973, toreplace it. Past Com. Dick Purdy, ourperennial Bar and RestaurantChairman who could be found eatingin the kitchen with the help four orfive times a week, was finally honoredby the inclusion of his favorite primerib sandwich as a menu regular (andstill is) – the Com. Purdy Sandwich.

In April of ’70 Sally Ecclestone,wife of Canada Cup winner Lloyd,requested and received permission to

40

Charles Nemeth————

Lee Nicholson————

41

borrow the cup so it could be sent to aNew York jeweler for a personalreplica. Ted turner didn’t do this. Thefollowing month, Com. John Burkardmoved the price of carry-out beer bereduced to $1.75 a six-pack only ifmembers promised not to take itdirectly out on the lawn forconsumption. The same month“Mother”, our workboat sank butthrough the efforts of Com. MikeTapert and Stan Puddiford she wasfloating and fixed in no time.

At our annualmeeting in Decemberwe paid tribute to thepassing of Past Com.Chuck McGregorand Aurelian “Rill”Wigel, once owner ofthe NY-40 “Rowdy”.In the late 40’s andearly 50’s few realizedthe heavy-duty pokerand crap games that

transpired late at night, especially afterour annual awards banquet. One nightRill won BIG at the expense of AustinHumber who could not cover his lossesthat night. After two weeks ofwheeling, Austin struck a deal and thenext day Rill was the proud owner ofthe 60-ft. sloop “Rowdy”. The annualmeeting did not exclude a specialthanks for the Bobbie Roadstrumdesigned – Karl Ness cast BYC plaquethat still hangs in our vestibule and itsmold on the second floor stairway.

In 1974 a popular Grosse Pointe tearoom, the Village Manor, closed its doorsand their Chef went looking for a job.BYC’s Chef Finley was planning hisretirement about the same time andswitch took place – enter Syd Clark. InJune Arnie Fuchs and Larry Oswaldsupervised (and constructed) the newmen’s shower room and Gene Dolan’sapartment directly south of the old tower.

The following two years under thehelm of John “the Kid” Burkard andJim Schudel, Bayview saw continuedgrowth. In ’75 we honored our adaptedson George E. Van (who coined theterm “Shrine of Nautical Culture”) byhaving the old Detroit News Trophyrenamed the George E. Van Trophy.That same year Mike Tapert washonored as BYC Man of the Year for hisefforts in our Canada Cup endeavors,and in December we again “stood for a

moment of silence,” this time for ournewly departed Com. Dick Purdy.

The next year Com. Schudel wasgreeted in January by a petition signed by81 members “respectfully requesting thatthe Board take appropriate action tobetter control the behavior of the youngchildren on BYC grounds…” We canonly imagine how Perc Williamsonwould have handled that one. Nextmonth found Jim recommendingbondholders donate their five-percentdebenture bonds for the good of theClub, and our Club Historian MartyDowns suggesting a glass case be installedfor the display of BYC memorabilia toeliminate the current problem ofdefacement of much of our history.

In April of ’76 Vice Com. BillMcGraw proposed a dues increase of $60per year and at a special meeting in MayJim Markie, as usual, moved for a secretballot but was voted down so a hand voteof 67 to 23 increased our dues to $300per year. June made us all feel old withthe death of a charter member HarryBreadon and on a brighter note, Sam’s25th year. In August “Old Goat” patcheswere approved at $8.00 each and to endthe year Art Gregory, fresh from theDBC, was hired as our new manager,and the “Helene”, a 104 footer, was givenpermission for a winter dockage of $600.

1977 started well with the evictionof the DRYA from our offices. Notexactly an eviction but due to theincreased BYC workload, Com. BillMcGraw asked them to find apermanent office by April 15th andthere were no hard feelings. The samemonth Doug Sheibner was given$6,000 to completely redecorate ourCommodore’s Room and a suggestionby Arnie Fuchs that “it might be usedas a lounge” for members didn’t fly.

In March the age-old game ofbragging about thickness of yourmonthly statement came to an end asindividual chits were no longerenclosed due to our new billing processand computer.

We concluded the year with ourannual meeting and were saddened bythe death of our first full-time employeeMr. Homer Burdino, but proud we hadtwo BYC Man of the Year awards: LynnStedman, this time for serving asUSYRU President, and Paul Fuchs forcrewing on the America’s Cup 12-Meter “Courageous.”

The next twoyears under JohnPappas and HoratioSawyer Earle flew by.In January of ’78 ourdues increased to$420 annually; Gov.“Golden Don” Crinerrecommended that all

our major rooms be named withappropriate bronze plaques; ourClubhouse which we all felt looked prettysnazzy must have appealed to the generalboating public as well because “problemswith boaters coming in off the river andusing the outside restrooms” appeared tobe a definite problem; and in Octoberour manager Art Gregory left for greenerpastures and reliable Phyllis Campbellonce again took over.

The followingyear (‘79) a young butbalding youngsterSteve Kroepel hiredin and the followingmonth Ms. CaroleMorgan was hired asa full-time manager. Our affluencereached a new high in September witha 50-man waiting list and the BYC logobeing registered with the US Patent andTrademark Office by Ralph Burton. InNovember what every Commodoredreaded since 1915 happened: awoman was proposed and posted formembership at our Club. The blackballs flew, she was rejected, but itcertainly opened some eyes and weknew we would sooner or later have todeal with this “problem” once and forall. At our Annual Meeting, dues wentup again, this time to $462 annually.

1980 started out innocentlyenough with the formation of a LongRange Planning Committee appointedby Com. Richard Grow. For years ourClub had expanded, decorated, andmade changes and the next year theywould be removed, torn down,repainted, or changed with each newadministration. (A special thanks toRick and Quent Sickels for theirforesight, for one must admit since thattime our growth has been in a smooth,orderly fashion.)

In May we held another specialmeeting (it seems like we were alwayshaving a “special meeting”) where themembership approved a bylaw change– “Senior members cannot vote on

Austin Humber,“donated”ROWDY to Rill Wigel

————

Art Gregory————

Carole Morgan————

matters of active dues increases.”As Bill Nagel once wrote of

Charlie Beck “You either love him orhate him.” The same thing applied toour manager. Despite her sincereefforts to better the Club and getalong, the chemistry just wasn’t therein regards to her relationship withgood ol’ Jerome. The friction came toa boil and at the November, ’80meeting she gave the Board anultimatum - “Either he goes or I go!”

One month laterour new managerTom Poyma wasintroduced to themembers. This samemonth, for someunknown reason, itwas noted that there

was an increase in member divorce. Ifthe yearbook can have a “WelcomeAboard” and “Sailed On,” why not a“Parting Tacks?”…not approved.

Ralph Burton’s 1981 year beganwhat could be called the Decade ofExpansion. At a special meeting inAugust, member and noted architectLouis “Gino” Rossetti proposed a$250,000 five-year-plan to completelyredo the east and west harbor, thesparshed, new offices, and a majorkitchen renovation. Dues would beincreased to $600 per year with $138per year going to a Building Fund. Theprogram was approved and prints wereprepared by member Dan Tosch (ournew Dave Davenport) and the BuildingCommittee chaired by John Uznis.

By November the old sparshedand north and south towers were razedafter 51 years of faithful service, exceptfor the ’37 fire. By Christmasconstruction commenced with newseawalls, board walk, Ladies’ ShowerRoom, Work Room, and JuniorSailor’s Room. For members whodonated supplies for the new facility,very unofficially, keys were given foraccess to the Juniors’ Room to be usedat their discretion (probably to showoff the new room to admirers.)

Ed Zemmin’s tenure in 1982besides our major expansion, saw: thefirst gratus per-Mackinac Bacardi Party;$3,090 spent on the new DRYA juniorboats, Flying Juniors; an investigationon why 141 members spent less thantheir $25 minimum; and the donationof a fireplace draft inducer by George

Lyon (it finally draws well after 52years); a new flagpole donated by BillBonbright; and SORC and Admiralcup plaques given by Bill Martin. InOctober, John Harper instituted ourFrostbite series sailed in Tech Dinghiesand the year ended with anotherprospective member, female type.Same results.

By January, 1983, Phase III of ourfive year plan commenced with theconstruction of our new offices on thewest side of the Clubhouse and the oldoffices turned into a combinationfood/liquor storage-employee lounge.In August our Commodore FredMcGregor approved the purchase of asmall triangular piece of land justnorth of Gregory’s for the sum total of$13,000 or so he thought, for overflowparking. The next month we borrowed$38,000 from NBD (at 13 percent!)and purchased the state-of-the-art“Basic Four” computer. At our annualmeeting we bowed our heads this timefor our old friend Al Schultz (mentorof every manager, employee, andcommittee chairman since 1952) whodied tragically in a hit-and-run whilevacationing in Florida.

By January, 1984 our five-year-planwas well ahead of schedule andBuilding Committee Chairman JerryBlake embarked on a $70,000 majorkitchen renovation. The same monthclub Historian Burce Preble reportedon Com. John Werthman that BYChas lost much of it memorabilia overthe years and requested old photos,scrapbooks, etc. be donated to theClub. (Author’s note: A monumentalidea.) He further volunteered towrithe a complete Club history.(Another author’s note: where the hellis he now? R.I.P.)

In March our Commodorerecommended that due to ourreputation in the national yachtingcommunity, we become affiliated withthe NYYC and their 12-meter “AmericaII” in its quest to recapture the Cup.This grande gesture was applauded by all.

Five months later under the careof Mike Tapert, the Canada CupCommittee hosted the most lavish,spectacular ball in the Club’s history.Held at the estate of Edsel and EleanorFord, our stalwarts replaced theirtopsiders with patent pumps anddanced through the night. The

proceeds, though meager, weredonated to the GP ExceptionalChildren’s Foundation. Greatlyrelieved was “Jaws” in that, right orwrong, two months earlier our Boarddecided they would not be financiallyresponsible for any incurred debts andthese in whole belonged to Mike. Fewknow of his sleepless nights but allremember his party.

In September Robbie Robinsonand Rick Bridge took on the task tocompletely rewrite our by-laws whichhad been chopped up and fragmentedthrough the years since their lastrevision in 1952. Our year concludedwith our Annual Meeting where Samreceived recognition of 33 years ofservice and was highlighted when Com.Werthmann reported our five-year-expansion program was complete infour and under budget. This led to anobvious motion by Don Snider that, ifin fact we were ahead of schedule andunder budget, our dues revert back to$462 per year. History was made whenthe motion passed and dues decreased.

1985 started out allwrong when our muchrespected manager TomMellos announced hehad accepted a job atthe DYC. No, Phyllisdid not return, but inher place our book-

keeper Martha Billidere stepped inuntil a new manager, Mr. RobertGorton, was hired in March. In thespring we sold the last of our Interlakesfor $100 and installed our presentsecurity gate for $10,500 and threemonths later a possible tragedy wasaverted during our Mackinac Racewhen Tom Lowry’s “Tomahawk” sankjust west of Cove Island and CharlieBayer in the “Old Bear” rescued all thelife rafted crew. For his gallant efforts,Charlie was awarded the BYC Man ofthe Year trophy.

August found the Boardinstructing Manager Gorton to “installa larger hasp and stronger lock” on theliquor cage for some unknown reasonas was the delayed conveyance of thedeed to our triangular property nowaffectionately referred to as“McGregor’s Point.”

On December 4th we increased ourdues to $582 annually and regrettablybowed our heads in remembrance of

42

Tom Poyma———

Tom Mellos———

43

Alger Sheldon, one of our saviors in1931. Perhaps it was coincidence butone week later Rear Com. John Uznissuggested we dispose of that “long, uglytable in the Mackinac Room.” Thismatter was tabled but a motion toincrease initiation from $500 to $1,000per year wasn’t.

January, 1986, Bob Neideroest’syear saw the sprucing up of the loungewith all new furniture and the newstandard maroon and blue carpetingwhile $30,000 went into the unseenimprovements of wiring, plumbing,and fixtures in the bar. The samemonth a complaint was registered byour Toledo friend Milton “Tony”Knight in reference to a cleaning billhe received after a pie throwing contestthe night of the previous MackinacAwards dinner. He was, after all, “therecipient of the pie and not thethrower.” The bill was ultimatelyshared with Spike Neesley. The samemeeting Mr. Gorton tendered hisresignation and strong sentimentsurfaced to the rehiring of Tom Mellos.February saw the purchase ofadditional Flying Juniors, now theaccepted junior boat, and a petitionsigned by 56 members to keep theAlger Sheldon tables. Petition passed.

It is apparent money does notcompletely equate to happiness an inMarch Tom Mellos came back to hisfriends at the Club. A new triangularBYC sign designed by member JohnSheoris was erected and each memberwas assessed $23 to cover the everincreasing liquor liability insurance.July, 1986…after 35 years of faithfulservice Dorothy “Sam” Mecurio retiredand her daughter Carla begangrooming as her replacement as headwaitress, and Andy Kimmel was tappedby the next year’s Commodore JohnUznis to head the Building Committeewith the thought of adding a smallscreened-in, awning topped porchabove the dining room.

In September, Bayview JuniorSailors, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit, tax exempt organization and itsfirst Chairman was George Uznis. Atthe same time and much to the Board’srelief a letter was received from theDNR stating they had reviewed andapproved our “belated letter”requesting permission to install pilingsin Conner Creek (which had been

done months previous.) The yearended on an up note with the generalmembership approving a two yearsextension of $138 Building Fund ofthe addition of the “Veranda Room,”not a screened porch, but a full fledgeddining room and bar with wrap aroundporch, (shades of the Trophy Room),another kitchen addition, andcompletely residing our cinderblockClubhouse with aluminum.

By March, 1987 our “VerandaRoom” designed by Dan Tosch was upto $185,000 with little add-ons like adumbwaiter, furniture, paneling, andcarpeting which were not in theoriginal budget. To make mattersworse the City still wouldn’t give us theDeed to McGregor’s Point “because wehave created an eye sore to thecommunity.” They now wanted acatch basin, a berm (with trees) and ablack topped surface. In April a ratherhigh brow awning with BYC logo wasadded and Jerry Blake, our Rear Com.Renamed the “Veranda Room” the“Regatta Room.” To appease his andinsure tranquility the following year,the Board approved the new name.

In July we were shocked andsaddened by the untimely death of ourmanager, Tom Mellos, and Com.Uznis authorized a wake at the Club.An overflow crowd of mourners usedthe “Regatta Room”, a room whichhad been so diligently planned by Tom,for its second official function. Twomonth later George Van, ourchronicler who had sailed moreMackinacs that anyone in history,passed away and again, another wake.

The news gotbetter in Octoberwhen TreasurerJohn Bremer statedexpected profits forthe year to be$58,000 and inNovember MarkDavid Steffke washired away from the

GPYC and became our new manager.That same month it was noted thatcraftsmanship was not what it used tobe and Rup Bell’s fireplace equipmenthad to be repaired after only 57 years.This year of dirge appropriatelyconcluded with our moment of silenceof Com. Dave Sloss and WarrenBooth, two more members Bayview

owed greatly.It seemed each year started on a

high note and was disrupted bysomething but 1988 was different aswill be attested by Com. Jerry Blake.The City finally approved “McGregor’sPoint” and we finally got the deed; along needed historical showcase wasinstalled; a point-of –sale computer wasactivated which even Jerome liked; theJohn Barbour “doors” were installed inthe Mackinac Room in time for ourCanada Cup Ball; the initiation fee wasagain raised to $1,750; and at yetanother special meeting in Septemberthe Building Fund was extended foranother two years for furtherimprovements. Two more friends wereremembered at the Annual Meeting:1985 Com. John Pottle and Bill Sissonwho joined us in 1921.

1989 will always go down in BYChistory as “the year the dollar didn’tstop.” It all started out with a “namesigning” evening when members wereencouraged to leave their name forposterity by autographing the chartcovered walls before they were encasedwith the present oak paneling. Laterthat month the new walk-in cooler andkitchen storage room were finished.

On April 25th we had yet anotherspecial meeting to vote on an issue firstraised in ’79 and again in ’82,specifically should women be entitledto membership? Emotions ranrampant. Some threatened to quit ifthe bylaws were changed. Othersthreatened to quit if not. Cooler headsprevailed and after a thorough debatein the Regatta Room, 132 memberscast their secret ballots. All presentretired to the bar to await the outcome.Twenty-five minutes later Com.Barbour came on the intercom andannounced a two-thirds majority hadapproved the motion, a decision I’msure history will prove prudent.

Inconsequential was a reportstating the central air conditioningsystem was now up to $86,000, theinitiation fee was increased to $2,500and the widow of Mr. Thomas K. Fisherhad decided to donate the full model ofhis former yacht “Gypsy” to the Club.

On August 21st another specialmeeting convened to discuss and voteon proposal to acquire from GregoryMarina a small parcel of land on thewest bank of our canal just north of the

Mark Steffke———

Packard Boathouse (now owned byManoogian’s Landex Corp.) Theproposal called for a 15-year duesincrease of $20 per month pluscollateralizing our Clubhouse in orderto obtain a mortgage of $700,000 fromNBD to purchase and develop 18 boatwells! What followed was the greatestoratory (by Com. John Barbour) in thehistory of the Club and we bought it.Before the members could call a

referendum, contracts were signed andimmediately Lakeshore Marine begandemolition an construction began.Oh, to return to 1942 and purchaseGregory’s en whole for $40,000.

And now we enter the 1990, our75th year. By the time you read this,Part I of our trilogy, Bayview’s newdocks will have been dedicated by ournew Commodore Larry Oswald, theLadies Fashion Show will have

celebrated its 23rd anniversary, and,God willing, Bayview Yacht Club willbegin its next 75 years of Glory.

Our success has not comeautomatically but through the hardwork of employees, hard sailing, farsighted members, and PastCommodores who have guidedBayview Yacht Club with the principleson which our Club was founded.

44

To the development of sailormen…To preserve the finest tradition of the sea…To continuance of that finer class of sportsmanship which seems born largely of

the sea and sea-minded…To the development of sailing vessels which will add fresh glory to the

most daring and romantic of all sports…These are the Aims of the Bayview Yacht Club

Always. Forever.