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Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the location of Raritan Yacht Club, was organized in 1683. It was for a time the capital of East Jersey. In both the pre-Civil War and post-Civil War years, Perth Amboy found itself something of a resort -- a few fine hotels drew visitors for their summer vacations from Newark and New York. With its bay full of deep, clean water and easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, Perth Amboy was a natural site for boating enthusiasts returning from the Civil War. The Club is located at the western end of Raritan Bay, about 12 miles from Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Deep water (40+ feet) access is available through ship channels. Staten Island, New York, is to the immediate east across Arthur Kill, and South Amboy, New Jersey, is to the south across the Raritan River. Several full service yards are located on nearby Cheesequake Creek.
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The Earliest Years. In 1865 a group of men using a one-story building perched high on pilings formed the Carteret Boat Club, naming it after Lord Carteret, a governor of East Jersey. The Club was located on Front Street between Gordon and Market Streets, where the modern municipal marina is now located. The Club consisted of a single room where all Club activities were held. An old pot belly stove located in the center of the room provided heat. A spacious front porch graced the east end of the building, this being the meeting place of the "Rocking Chair Fleet." Inside the Club house a number of rowing shells and canoes were hung in canvas slings from the roof beams. Although there were a few members owning sailboats, this first Club was mainly a canoeing and rowing club. It was not uncommon for sailors to row over the Sheepshead Bay at Coney Island, New York, race, and then row back to Perth Amboy. |
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In 1874 another group of men formed a club known as the Perth Amboy Yacht Club. These men were primarily interested in sailing. They owned fast sailboats of the sandbagger type, and they wanted organized sailing races. The membership was not large, but it boasted among its members Perth Amboy's most prominent citizens. The club made its headquarters in a small building owned by the Chapman family. The clubhouse was located on the shore a short distance from the Carteret Boat Club. Both of these clubs soon fell on hard economic times. The Carteret Boat Club and the Perth Amboy Yacht Club merged and on May 10, 1882, the Raritan Yacht Club was formed. By 1885 11 yachts were enrolled in the Club roster. |
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Many races were held on Raritan Bay with boats from Newark Bay and places along the shores of Staten Island competing. Rowing and sailing were still the order of the day. There were many oyster skiffs in the area harvesting abundant crops of oysters from the great beds for which the light house a mile off the current pier is named. It was not unusual for oystermen to enter their skiffs in competitive racing. Many of the Members of the Club belonged to the American Canoeing Association, and in 1889 they held the Eastern meet at the Club bringing national recognition to Raritan Bay. |
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In the early 1900's several large manufacturing concerns located themselves in Perth Amboy, bringing men from other parts of the country. Many of these men were interested in yachting. By 1904 the Club had prospered so that a larger clubhouse was needed. Plans were drawn, bids opened, and by the summer of 1905 a new clubhouse had been constructed on the old site. The old building, still in good condition, was moved to the street line and fitted with lockers and refreshment room. The new, larger building, was a two-story structure. The first floor was used as a general club room and meeting place. The second floor consisted of a large room where dances were held and entertainment conducted. Yachts included sloops, a class for catboats, rowing racers and power boats. |
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Raritan Yacht Club prospered until the night of December 22, 1915. A fire totally destroyed the clubhouse. Also lost were all Club records, paintings, a new pocket billiard table, boat models, and photographs. The board of governors of the Club met in an emergency session at the home of Commodore John E. Bryant. It was determined to buy a new property with an existing building and pier rather than rebuild on the old site. (Continued) |
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