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The New Clubhouse. In early 1916 the Club contracted to purchase the Cooper Estate, which is the present site of the Club. The pier, referred to as "Cooper's Slip," had been the site for years where oystermen would keep their sloops and oyster skiffs. Social activities boomed, a membership drive was successful, and many new members brought enthusiasm to the Club. A popular event was the "smoker." These were held bi-monthly and big name entertainment was brought in from New York. Ladies nights and formal dances came into being. |
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America's entry into the First World War promptly affected the Club. Everyone took part in civic and patriotic duties. The Club formed a Marine Unit and actively took part in home defense. Soon thereafter 43 members enlisted in the regular service. Some served with the famous Rainbow Division, others stuck with the water and joined the Navy. The "Eagle 48" was a mine sweeper stationed at the local Navy Reserve pier until the beginning of the Second World War. Many Club members served as active reservists. To keep in practice the Naval Reserve held lifeboat races frequently. In the 1920's Club members, true to their origins, collected crew and coxswain and entered in races over a long course in Long Island Sound. Ten oarsmen and a coxswain manned each boat and the coxswain steered with a stern oar. |
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The new Clubhouse also brought the Ladies Auxiliary to the Club. Nelson J. Macan, the first of four generations of Macans to sail at the Club, presided over the organizational meeting in 1916. The ladies rented a room on the third floor of the Clubhouse to help pay off the Club mortgage. They have not paid cash rent since the 1950's, however. The Ladies Auxiliary provided for family participation in the Club and pitched in for many needed tasks. After the War the Club decided to add the Grill Room. The room was first completed during 1919-1920. During this period and until the America's Cup moved to Newport, Rhode Island, Club members often sailed to off Sandy Hook and watched the America's Cup Races. The Raritan Bay Yacht Racing Association was organized March 24, 1922, and it held its first meeting at Raritan Yacht Club. Commodore Lewis Compton of the Club was elected the first president of the Association. The clubs which organized this Association were the Raritan Yacht Club, clubs at Sewaren, Rahway, Keyport, Princes Bay and Monmouth Boat Club. Racing continued to be competitive, and events were scheduled with the "Indian" owned by Nelson J. Macan and the "Natirar" ("Raritan" spelled backwards) owned by Buck Compton as top contenders.
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The Club by-laws were amended in December 1923 to provide for a Junior Organization, which remains active today. The Junior yacht club mainly sails in one designs, and after attaining age 21, many members have become Regular Members in the Club.
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Pox Booz and Elwood Johnson started the "Comet" craze at the Club in the 1930's. In no time, the Club had one of the largest fleets around. Alton O'Brien won the Comet National title sailing in his "Aquilla." The Nationals were held twice at the Club, and from that stemmed the present Red Grant Regatta. Adolph "Red" Grant, Jr., a Club Comet skipper in whose memory the Regatta was established in 1947, lost his life while serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II. |
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After World War II additional one-design racing became popular with Stars, Blue Jays, Thistles, Lightnings, and Jet 14's. Handicapped racing in cruising auxiliaries were introduced later, and auxiliaries first participated in the Red Grant Regatta in the early 1960's. The National Jet 14's were held at the Club in 1977. In the 1950's the Club initiated a program to host groups of foreign students doing graduate work in this country residing in the International House at Columbia University in New York. On International House Day the students would arrive at the Club by bus, enjoy a picnic lunch, and then sail for the rest of the day. (Continued) |
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