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| A Short History of Bayside Power Squadron The First Fifty Years As written by P/R/C Arthur Schiller, SN |
It all began in the spring of 1936. There were no local squadrons on Long Island’s North Shore.
Graham Lowe, Secretary of Brooklyn Power Squadron, convinced his Squadron to conduct courses in
Elementary Piloting at Flushing High School. Two hundred people showed up at the first session and
at the completion of the course, eighteen joined the Brooklyn Squadron, but expressed a wish that a
local Squadron might be formed.
An organization meeting was held at the Bayside Yacht Club on 16 October 1936. Attended by thirty
New York and Brooklyn Squadron members as well as some unattached members. By-Laws were
accepted, charter petition signed and temporary officers elected. They were Graham Lowe,
Commander; Jack deWindt, Lt/Cdr; Ed Norris, Secretary; and Henry Rappuhn, Treasurer.
Thirty charter members are listed on Bayside’s charter dated 14 November 1936. Bayside became
the 18th Squadron in the USPS which makes it part of USPS early history when we consider there are
now 445 Squadrons.
AP and JN as well as elementary classes were started in the spring of 1937, and at the conclusion of
the course 30 new members were initiated at our first dinner held at the Amber Lantern in Flushing.
Bayside continued to grow and started elementary classes in Port Washington and Huntington in
January 1938. The Huntington classes eventually led to the formation of Neptune Squadron. In the
fall of the same year Jack deWindt, who succeeded Graham Lowe as Commander, started classes at
Sewanaka High School in Floral Park. The first lecture was giver by Charles F. Chapman, author of
our textbook, Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling.
Bayside members gave weekly lectures on Elementary Piloting over radio WWRL in Woodside. Cdr.
DeWindt also inaugurated a Mechanical Instruction Course, a forerunner of the present USPS Engine
Maintenance Course, under the chairmanship of J. Fred Howarth.
Interest in boating continued to grow to such an extent that the fall 1939 and spring 1940 classes gave
instruction to over 600 students. The spring class at Flushing High School attracted over 300
persons. The course was completed with an average attendance of 225.
Bayside’s growth and activities began to be shadowed by the war clouds which appeared to be
gathering in the spring of 1941. Some of the members were already actively serving in the Army, Navy
and Coast Guard, where their Squadron knowledge proved of great benefit to them and our country.
The Coast Guard was undertaking a campaign to enroll Squadron members in their Auxiliary Program,
requesting them to offer their boats and services. Eventually the first Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit on
the North Shore, Flotilla 1201, was organized with P/C Palmer as the first Commander and Bayside
members forming the nucleus of the Flotilla.
In spite of the beginning hostilities in December 1941, a very busy period began for Bayside.
Elementary classes held in Floral Park, Port Washington, Great Neck and Flushing resulted in
increasing our membership to almost 350. A note of sadness crept in when we saw so many of our
active members leave us to take their proper place in the war effort. Many old timers will remember
the night of our Anniversary Party at Columbia Yacht Club (later Riviera) in Port Washington. On that
occasion Ed Zurst, one of Bayside’s most active members, was on board ship somewhere in the
Pacific and at exactly 2100 the entire assemblage rose to drink a toast to Ed and at the same moment,
by pre-arrangement, Ed raised a glass to the members of Bayside in return. Among the treasured
possessions of Bayside is the Squadron Ensign which Ed carried with him through the war and
presented to us on his return. A picture of the presentation to P/C Lowe appeared on the front cover
of the Ensign Magazine.
Stan Cooper was our first wartime Commander but his administration was not hampered too much by
war restrictions. When Art Fink took over the Bridge in October 1942 Squadron activities were
hampered by gasoline rationing and other restrictions. The Graduation Dinner Dance at the Bayside
Yacht Club had to be called off. Commander Fink had to forego nearly all of the usual Squadron
activities. As a result, a special fund was established know as the "Art Fink Victory Fund" to provide a
Victory Party at the conclusion of hostilities. The party was eventually held during the regime of
Commander Peterson.
During the administration of Commander Babcock the USPS started a program of Seamanship
Training Classes for High School students. George Mohr was appointed by Chief Commander Perry
to head this program for Bayside. Under George's leadership, Bayside members conducted classes in
many Queens and Brooklyn high schools. He became Commander in October 1944. He was one of
the most likeable men anyone could meet. One got the feeling he was a real friend. He personally
contacted almost every member and urged them to participate in Squadron activities. The response
was amazing and in great measure responsible for our subsequent growth and recognition as one of
the leading Squadrons in USPS.
When the war ended in August 19945, our records showed that 104 Baysiders had served in the
Armed Forces of our country, four never returned. In October 1945 William C. Wolfmuller succeeded
George Mohr as Commander. The Squadron fiscal year was changed to run from June to June so Bill
continued as Commander until June 1947. Under his leadership, the Squadron embanked on an
increased social program. He discovered Hank Blanke and put him in charge of refreshments. For
years Hank spent the day before a meeting preparing all kinds of "goodies" to be served after each
meeting.
Bayside was the first to introduce a Power Squadron Church Service conducted solely by and for
Squadron members. Our Tenth Anniversary was celebrated by that never-to-be forgotten Shipwreck
Party held in College Point. During the winter of 1946-47 one hundred new members were added to
our roster. Advanced Grades courses were also heavily attended.
Bayside became the proud owner of the "Muriel", a 50-foot yawl, the generous gift of P/C Jack
deWindt. It was maintained by a regular crew of 6 Bayside members. It sailed out of the Worlds Fair
Marina and welcomed any Bayside who wished to sail on weekends. Practical lessons in Sailing and
Seamanship were often conducted on the trips by P/C deWindt, who was a good example of an old-
fashioned yachtsman. The first sailing trip did not get very far. When they tried to raise the mainsail,
it was discovered that someone in the shipyard had varnished the sail track as well as the mast. The
smallest member of the crew, who later became a Commander, was assigned to scrape the varnish
out of the track on the 64-foot mast working in a boatswain's chair. He soon learned to wrap his legs
around the mast each time a boat nearby caused a wake. After two years, lack of interest in sail and
the cost of insurance caused the executive Committee to return the "Muriel" to its donor.
A Predicted Log Race for powerboats was established, the trophy for which, was donated by Walter
Dreher and the race became known as the Dreher Trophy Race. When P/C deWindt died in April
1948, Walter Dreher suggested that it be re-named he J.P.H. deWindt Memorial trophy.
By 1950 Bayside had over 450 members and was the fifth largest squadron in the USPS.
In 1951 Bayside's quality leadership was recognized by all Squadron's in District 3, by the election of
P/C Bill Wolfmuller to the office of District Commander. At the October 1951 General Meeting, Joseph
"Les" Behan, a Bayside member was honored for his role in the "Pelican" disaster which happened off
Montauk Point. Les was responsible for rescuing many of the survivors of the "Pelican" which had
been overloaded and turned over in rough seas. Les had been a member of Bayside since 1943 and
sailed his 40-foot "Bingo II" in the Montauk area.
Bayside members were very active in 1952 and 93 members earned Merit Marks. Sixty-eight had
reached Senior Membership. In the same year P/C Peterson gave the first instruction Techniques
Course to twelve Bayside Instructors.
During the 1953-54 season, General Meetings were held at the Queens Police Post Legion hall.
Each meeting consisted of its business portion and then an interesting program, usually related to
boating, was presented, followed by refreshments. In September 1953 twenty Bayside boats
participated in a joint exercise sponsored by the 1st Marine Division and District 3. The purpose was
to determine how Marines could be transported by volunteer private boats in an emergency.
On 5 November 1954 Bayside celebrated its 18th birthday with a Shipwreck Party at Antun's. It was
almost as good as the one on our tenth anniversary at College Point. The January 1955 General
Meeting featured a motion picture produced by USPS in which Baysiders had played prominent roles,
both on the screen and in the preparation work. At the March meeting Alan Villiers, famous writer and
seafarer told about his adventure sailing in the eastern seas.
The General Meetings in the 1955-56 season were well planned with interesting programs, which
attracted the members. Among the programs were: "Safety at Sea"; "Marine Photography"; "Radio
Telephone Regulations"; "How Charts are Made"; and "Canvas for Sail".
At the Annual Meeting of the USPS in January 1956 Bayside's P/C William Wolfmuller was installed as
the Chief Commander of the USPS, certainly a great honor for Bayside. A testimonial dinner for Bill
was held on 7 February at Fairlane's in New Hyde Park. In addition to many Bayside members there
were representatives from National, District and Local Squadrons.
At the 26 May Graduation Dinner dance, Commander Keller, dressed in cap and gown, with six pretty
"Personality Girls" in white caps and gowns, paraded the graduates of the advanced and elective
courses to the dais to receive their new ratings. He then proceeded to perform several magic tricks to
the amazement of the audience.
Instruction was given to more than 600 students in the Piloting classes that year. Bayside add 150
new members. Bayside members also earned 154 Merit Mars in 1956. More than 430 attended the
rendezvous at Eaton's Neck Coast Guard Station. The Summer Cruise consisted of eight Bayside
boats, which went up the Hudson and then on to Lake Champlain. The Squadron also celebrated its
20th birthday with a Barn Dance, attended by 150 members and guest on 10 November. Almost
everyone eventually wound up in the "jail house". In December Bayside broke with all tradition and
invited women to the General Meeting. In a delightful break with the past Bayside's
Christmas/Chanukah party had become a family affair and continues to this day. Over 300 members
and guest made the walls bulge.
Bayside made two important changes in its By-Laws in 1957. It created a new class of membership -
Life Member. C/C William C, Wolfmuller became the first to enter this honored membership and P/C
Graham V. Lowe, our first Commander having earned 25 Merit mark, became the second Life
member. A new elective office, that of Recorder, was created to ease the workload of the Secretary.
The growth of the Squadron was reflected by the 400 people who attended the Graduation Dinner
Dance on 24 May at the Garden City Hotel. During that year Bayside gave birth to two new
Squadrons, College Point and Great Neck. The charter members for both Squadrons came entirely
from within Bayside ranks.
On 7 November 1959, the Fort Totten Officers Club was the scene of a "Roaring Twenties" party.
The grand parade looked like a fashion show in a Chicago speakeasy. The guys and gals danced the
Charleston and the Peabody in costumes dug up from their mothers' (or grandmothers') attics. All this
in celebration of Bayside's 22nd birthday.
In the spring of 1959, Bayside ran a "Postgraduate N Course" for the firs time. The course was
conducted by Nick D'Amato on an informal basis, for those who held the rating of Navigator, but
wanted to brush up on the theory and techniques of navigation. It also brought veteran Ns up-to-date
on methods and materials not in the syllabus when they took the course.
In 1960 Bayside was honored by the election of P/C/ Arthur Gatehouse to the office of District
Commander.
1961 saw Bayside reach out to the younger generation by conducting the New York Sate Junior
Piloting Course for the 10 to 14 year olds. Forty-two boys and girls completed the course, which
consisted of rules of the road, safety measures, boat handling, compass reading, etc.
After a lapse of several years, a class in Instruction Techniques was formed again, by P/C Peterson
with 29 active Bayside instructors as his students. The sessions were held in several homes of the
class members.
The General Meetings in the 1961- 962 period featured a variety of speakers and programs on
subjects related to our boating interest and were followed by a socializing period and a heavily laden
refreshment table. At the Annual USPS meeting in Miami, held 13, January 1962, Bayside won First
Prize for best teaching aid, a device constructed by Lt. Ludwig Geist, to demonstrate variation and
deviation. Commander Schiller proudly accepted the Ship's Bell on behalf of Bayside, which the
Squadron could hold for one year and then pass on to the new winner, the following year. By June
1962 Bayside had grown to a membership of 645.
In 1964 at the Annual USPS Meeting in Miami, we again won the First Prize for another teaching aid -
a replica of a Bell Bout - was designed to reproduce the characteristics of any navigational light on the
water. Commander Gould accepted the beautiful "Ships Bell" and brought it back to Bayside for
another year.
23 May 1964 was "United States Power Squadrons Day" at the World's Fair. Some 300 Squadronites
and their ladies assembled for the occasion. A flag raising ceremony, with our own P/C/C Bill
Wolfmuller as Master of Ceremonies, raised the USPS Ensign aloft and above the crowds for the
entire day. Lunch at the Belgian Village, sightseeing and a luau at the Hawaiian Village made for a full
day.
The 1965 Rendezvous at Eaton's Neck Coast Guard Station was attended by 335 adults and 115
children. Eben Valentine, who was chairman of the event for many years, reported that hungry
Baysiders and their guest, consumed 14 crates of corn, 62 cases of beer, 40 cases of soda, 1500 hot
dogs with rolls to match, 5 gallons of kraut and several bushels of clams. While Eben and his hard
working crew handled the galley, his wife Ruth, kept the 115 kids busy with games.
In 1966 the Squadron celebrated its 30th anniversary on 11 November, with a Dinner Dance at the
Fontainebleau Hotel. Chief Commander Hutchins attended as well as leading members of District 3.
P/C Bert Strauss was chairman of this special occasion and was given high praise by Commander
Edkiss for arranging one of the best "Founders Day" affairs to date.
Bayside membership had now passed the 700 mark and hard working members earned 180 Merit
Marks that year and 19 Squadronites had already earned 20 or more Merit Marks.
At the District 3 Educational Conference, held 1 November 1969, at the U.S. Merchant Marine
Academy, Bayside once again showed the way by winning five of the nineteen awards given for
Teaching Aids. Commander Savage received the wards at the luncheon in the Delano Hall and
proudly presented them to the Teaching Aids Committee that night at Bayside's Anniversary Dinner
Dance.
Under the chairmanship of P/C Charles Silhan, Bayside added 65 new members to the Squadron in
1970. In the education Department, 13 members had completed all courses offered by USPS.
The 1972 Annual Meeting of the USPS was held in Anaheim, California. Commander Jim Minogue, in
addition to bringing Bayside's Memorial Trophy award winning training aid for competition, also led a
delegation of 24 members and friends to the meeting, by way of San Francisco and Hawaii. Those
who made the trip had a wonderful time and still talk about it.
1973 saw the election of P/C Wally Gould as Commander of District 3. He was the fourth Baysider to
become District Commander.
Many Bayside ladies were taking Advanced Courses and by 1974 five had completed Navigation, two
were Junior Navigators, twenty-six completed advanced Piloting and thirty-five had taken Seamanship.
Shortly after his term of office started in 1976 Commander Nick D'Amato was required by his company
to move to Texas. He was able to carry out his duties as commander with the aid of his other Bridge
Officers. Nick's many years of work in the Squadron were reflected conducting his office, even from a
distance.
In 1979 Bayside's quality leadership was again recognized by the election of P/C Howard Savage as
Commander of District 3.
By 1981 twenty-two Bayside members had a "Full Certificate", having completed all courses offered by
the USPS. This same year Bayside's last surviving charter member made his final voyage. He was
William G.F. Wickman, AP.
Bayside's growth was affected by legal problems which the National organization ran into almost ten
years ago. Serve restrictions imposed on all Squadrons by USPS made membership recruiting
difficult for every Squadron in the country. Members lost by attrition were difficult to replace and
membership declined, not only in Bayside, but in the total USPS membership. Our 1982 - 83 Year
Book shows a total membership of 254 including 19 Life Members. The 1984 Year Book shows
another drop in membership to 203 which includes 20 Life Members. Our present membership stands
at 192 including 23 Life Members.
At the half-century mark we noticed a good trend in the other direction. USPS has settled its legal
problems and removed most of the severe restrictions placed on recruiting new members. Our recent
classes have been larger in size than in the past several years and this appears to be the trend
nationally. Total USPS membership has shown an increase for two consecutive years after
continuously dropping for almost ten years.
Bayside can be proud of its 50-year history. It has always been a leader and produced leaders.
Bayside launched seven Squadrons in the District starting with Neptune in 1983 and then followed by
Manhasset Bay, Little Neck Bay, Smithtown Bay, Sewanaka, College Point and Great Neck. Every
National office in the USPS has been at some time held by a Bayside member. At the present time we
have many who are USPS officers or are serving on important USPS committees.
As we start on our second half-century let us keep up the interest and enthusiasm which has always
been a quality of Bayside members. Our present Commander, Phil Schuster, is continuing the work
started by his predecessor, P/C Tom Biglin, by trying out new programs to get members more active.
Lets not only wish him luck, lets actively support him.
P/R/C Arthur A. Schiller, SN
The history of Bayside continues.
Graham Lowe, Secretary of Brooklyn Power Squadron, convinced his Squadron to conduct courses in
Elementary Piloting at Flushing High School. Two hundred people showed up at the first session and
at the completion of the course, eighteen joined the Brooklyn Squadron, but expressed a wish that a
local Squadron might be formed.
An organization meeting was held at the Bayside Yacht Club on 16 October 1936. Attended by thirty
New York and Brooklyn Squadron members as well as some unattached members. By-Laws were
accepted, charter petition signed and temporary officers elected. They were Graham Lowe,
Commander; Jack deWindt, Lt/Cdr; Ed Norris, Secretary; and Henry Rappuhn, Treasurer.
Thirty charter members are listed on Bayside’s charter dated 14 November 1936. Bayside became
the 18th Squadron in the USPS which makes it part of USPS early history when we consider there are
now 445 Squadrons.
AP and JN as well as elementary classes were started in the spring of 1937, and at the conclusion of
the course 30 new members were initiated at our first dinner held at the Amber Lantern in Flushing.
Bayside continued to grow and started elementary classes in Port Washington and Huntington in
January 1938. The Huntington classes eventually led to the formation of Neptune Squadron. In the
fall of the same year Jack deWindt, who succeeded Graham Lowe as Commander, started classes at
Sewanaka High School in Floral Park. The first lecture was giver by Charles F. Chapman, author of
our textbook, Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling.
Bayside members gave weekly lectures on Elementary Piloting over radio WWRL in Woodside. Cdr.
DeWindt also inaugurated a Mechanical Instruction Course, a forerunner of the present USPS Engine
Maintenance Course, under the chairmanship of J. Fred Howarth.
Interest in boating continued to grow to such an extent that the fall 1939 and spring 1940 classes gave
instruction to over 600 students. The spring class at Flushing High School attracted over 300
persons. The course was completed with an average attendance of 225.
Bayside’s growth and activities began to be shadowed by the war clouds which appeared to be
gathering in the spring of 1941. Some of the members were already actively serving in the Army, Navy
and Coast Guard, where their Squadron knowledge proved of great benefit to them and our country.
The Coast Guard was undertaking a campaign to enroll Squadron members in their Auxiliary Program,
requesting them to offer their boats and services. Eventually the first Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit on
the North Shore, Flotilla 1201, was organized with P/C Palmer as the first Commander and Bayside
members forming the nucleus of the Flotilla.
In spite of the beginning hostilities in December 1941, a very busy period began for Bayside.
Elementary classes held in Floral Park, Port Washington, Great Neck and Flushing resulted in
increasing our membership to almost 350. A note of sadness crept in when we saw so many of our
active members leave us to take their proper place in the war effort. Many old timers will remember
the night of our Anniversary Party at Columbia Yacht Club (later Riviera) in Port Washington. On that
occasion Ed Zurst, one of Bayside’s most active members, was on board ship somewhere in the
Pacific and at exactly 2100 the entire assemblage rose to drink a toast to Ed and at the same moment,
by pre-arrangement, Ed raised a glass to the members of Bayside in return. Among the treasured
possessions of Bayside is the Squadron Ensign which Ed carried with him through the war and
presented to us on his return. A picture of the presentation to P/C Lowe appeared on the front cover
of the Ensign Magazine.
Stan Cooper was our first wartime Commander but his administration was not hampered too much by
war restrictions. When Art Fink took over the Bridge in October 1942 Squadron activities were
hampered by gasoline rationing and other restrictions. The Graduation Dinner Dance at the Bayside
Yacht Club had to be called off. Commander Fink had to forego nearly all of the usual Squadron
activities. As a result, a special fund was established know as the "Art Fink Victory Fund" to provide a
Victory Party at the conclusion of hostilities. The party was eventually held during the regime of
Commander Peterson.
During the administration of Commander Babcock the USPS started a program of Seamanship
Training Classes for High School students. George Mohr was appointed by Chief Commander Perry
to head this program for Bayside. Under George's leadership, Bayside members conducted classes in
many Queens and Brooklyn high schools. He became Commander in October 1944. He was one of
the most likeable men anyone could meet. One got the feeling he was a real friend. He personally
contacted almost every member and urged them to participate in Squadron activities. The response
was amazing and in great measure responsible for our subsequent growth and recognition as one of
the leading Squadrons in USPS.
When the war ended in August 19945, our records showed that 104 Baysiders had served in the
Armed Forces of our country, four never returned. In October 1945 William C. Wolfmuller succeeded
George Mohr as Commander. The Squadron fiscal year was changed to run from June to June so Bill
continued as Commander until June 1947. Under his leadership, the Squadron embanked on an
increased social program. He discovered Hank Blanke and put him in charge of refreshments. For
years Hank spent the day before a meeting preparing all kinds of "goodies" to be served after each
meeting.
Bayside was the first to introduce a Power Squadron Church Service conducted solely by and for
Squadron members. Our Tenth Anniversary was celebrated by that never-to-be forgotten Shipwreck
Party held in College Point. During the winter of 1946-47 one hundred new members were added to
our roster. Advanced Grades courses were also heavily attended.
Bayside became the proud owner of the "Muriel", a 50-foot yawl, the generous gift of P/C Jack
deWindt. It was maintained by a regular crew of 6 Bayside members. It sailed out of the Worlds Fair
Marina and welcomed any Bayside who wished to sail on weekends. Practical lessons in Sailing and
Seamanship were often conducted on the trips by P/C deWindt, who was a good example of an old-
fashioned yachtsman. The first sailing trip did not get very far. When they tried to raise the mainsail,
it was discovered that someone in the shipyard had varnished the sail track as well as the mast. The
smallest member of the crew, who later became a Commander, was assigned to scrape the varnish
out of the track on the 64-foot mast working in a boatswain's chair. He soon learned to wrap his legs
around the mast each time a boat nearby caused a wake. After two years, lack of interest in sail and
the cost of insurance caused the executive Committee to return the "Muriel" to its donor.
A Predicted Log Race for powerboats was established, the trophy for which, was donated by Walter
Dreher and the race became known as the Dreher Trophy Race. When P/C deWindt died in April
1948, Walter Dreher suggested that it be re-named he J.P.H. deWindt Memorial trophy.
By 1950 Bayside had over 450 members and was the fifth largest squadron in the USPS.
In 1951 Bayside's quality leadership was recognized by all Squadron's in District 3, by the election of
P/C Bill Wolfmuller to the office of District Commander. At the October 1951 General Meeting, Joseph
"Les" Behan, a Bayside member was honored for his role in the "Pelican" disaster which happened off
Montauk Point. Les was responsible for rescuing many of the survivors of the "Pelican" which had
been overloaded and turned over in rough seas. Les had been a member of Bayside since 1943 and
sailed his 40-foot "Bingo II" in the Montauk area.
Bayside members were very active in 1952 and 93 members earned Merit Marks. Sixty-eight had
reached Senior Membership. In the same year P/C Peterson gave the first instruction Techniques
Course to twelve Bayside Instructors.
During the 1953-54 season, General Meetings were held at the Queens Police Post Legion hall.
Each meeting consisted of its business portion and then an interesting program, usually related to
boating, was presented, followed by refreshments. In September 1953 twenty Bayside boats
participated in a joint exercise sponsored by the 1st Marine Division and District 3. The purpose was
to determine how Marines could be transported by volunteer private boats in an emergency.
On 5 November 1954 Bayside celebrated its 18th birthday with a Shipwreck Party at Antun's. It was
almost as good as the one on our tenth anniversary at College Point. The January 1955 General
Meeting featured a motion picture produced by USPS in which Baysiders had played prominent roles,
both on the screen and in the preparation work. At the March meeting Alan Villiers, famous writer and
seafarer told about his adventure sailing in the eastern seas.
The General Meetings in the 1955-56 season were well planned with interesting programs, which
attracted the members. Among the programs were: "Safety at Sea"; "Marine Photography"; "Radio
Telephone Regulations"; "How Charts are Made"; and "Canvas for Sail".
At the Annual Meeting of the USPS in January 1956 Bayside's P/C William Wolfmuller was installed as
the Chief Commander of the USPS, certainly a great honor for Bayside. A testimonial dinner for Bill
was held on 7 February at Fairlane's in New Hyde Park. In addition to many Bayside members there
were representatives from National, District and Local Squadrons.
At the 26 May Graduation Dinner dance, Commander Keller, dressed in cap and gown, with six pretty
"Personality Girls" in white caps and gowns, paraded the graduates of the advanced and elective
courses to the dais to receive their new ratings. He then proceeded to perform several magic tricks to
the amazement of the audience.
Instruction was given to more than 600 students in the Piloting classes that year. Bayside add 150
new members. Bayside members also earned 154 Merit Mars in 1956. More than 430 attended the
rendezvous at Eaton's Neck Coast Guard Station. The Summer Cruise consisted of eight Bayside
boats, which went up the Hudson and then on to Lake Champlain. The Squadron also celebrated its
20th birthday with a Barn Dance, attended by 150 members and guest on 10 November. Almost
everyone eventually wound up in the "jail house". In December Bayside broke with all tradition and
invited women to the General Meeting. In a delightful break with the past Bayside's
Christmas/Chanukah party had become a family affair and continues to this day. Over 300 members
and guest made the walls bulge.
Bayside made two important changes in its By-Laws in 1957. It created a new class of membership -
Life Member. C/C William C, Wolfmuller became the first to enter this honored membership and P/C
Graham V. Lowe, our first Commander having earned 25 Merit mark, became the second Life
member. A new elective office, that of Recorder, was created to ease the workload of the Secretary.
The growth of the Squadron was reflected by the 400 people who attended the Graduation Dinner
Dance on 24 May at the Garden City Hotel. During that year Bayside gave birth to two new
Squadrons, College Point and Great Neck. The charter members for both Squadrons came entirely
from within Bayside ranks.
On 7 November 1959, the Fort Totten Officers Club was the scene of a "Roaring Twenties" party.
The grand parade looked like a fashion show in a Chicago speakeasy. The guys and gals danced the
Charleston and the Peabody in costumes dug up from their mothers' (or grandmothers') attics. All this
in celebration of Bayside's 22nd birthday.
In the spring of 1959, Bayside ran a "Postgraduate N Course" for the firs time. The course was
conducted by Nick D'Amato on an informal basis, for those who held the rating of Navigator, but
wanted to brush up on the theory and techniques of navigation. It also brought veteran Ns up-to-date
on methods and materials not in the syllabus when they took the course.
In 1960 Bayside was honored by the election of P/C/ Arthur Gatehouse to the office of District
Commander.
1961 saw Bayside reach out to the younger generation by conducting the New York Sate Junior
Piloting Course for the 10 to 14 year olds. Forty-two boys and girls completed the course, which
consisted of rules of the road, safety measures, boat handling, compass reading, etc.
After a lapse of several years, a class in Instruction Techniques was formed again, by P/C Peterson
with 29 active Bayside instructors as his students. The sessions were held in several homes of the
class members.
The General Meetings in the 1961- 962 period featured a variety of speakers and programs on
subjects related to our boating interest and were followed by a socializing period and a heavily laden
refreshment table. At the Annual USPS meeting in Miami, held 13, January 1962, Bayside won First
Prize for best teaching aid, a device constructed by Lt. Ludwig Geist, to demonstrate variation and
deviation. Commander Schiller proudly accepted the Ship's Bell on behalf of Bayside, which the
Squadron could hold for one year and then pass on to the new winner, the following year. By June
1962 Bayside had grown to a membership of 645.
In 1964 at the Annual USPS Meeting in Miami, we again won the First Prize for another teaching aid -
a replica of a Bell Bout - was designed to reproduce the characteristics of any navigational light on the
water. Commander Gould accepted the beautiful "Ships Bell" and brought it back to Bayside for
another year.
23 May 1964 was "United States Power Squadrons Day" at the World's Fair. Some 300 Squadronites
and their ladies assembled for the occasion. A flag raising ceremony, with our own P/C/C Bill
Wolfmuller as Master of Ceremonies, raised the USPS Ensign aloft and above the crowds for the
entire day. Lunch at the Belgian Village, sightseeing and a luau at the Hawaiian Village made for a full
day.
The 1965 Rendezvous at Eaton's Neck Coast Guard Station was attended by 335 adults and 115
children. Eben Valentine, who was chairman of the event for many years, reported that hungry
Baysiders and their guest, consumed 14 crates of corn, 62 cases of beer, 40 cases of soda, 1500 hot
dogs with rolls to match, 5 gallons of kraut and several bushels of clams. While Eben and his hard
working crew handled the galley, his wife Ruth, kept the 115 kids busy with games.
In 1966 the Squadron celebrated its 30th anniversary on 11 November, with a Dinner Dance at the
Fontainebleau Hotel. Chief Commander Hutchins attended as well as leading members of District 3.
P/C Bert Strauss was chairman of this special occasion and was given high praise by Commander
Edkiss for arranging one of the best "Founders Day" affairs to date.
Bayside membership had now passed the 700 mark and hard working members earned 180 Merit
Marks that year and 19 Squadronites had already earned 20 or more Merit Marks.
At the District 3 Educational Conference, held 1 November 1969, at the U.S. Merchant Marine
Academy, Bayside once again showed the way by winning five of the nineteen awards given for
Teaching Aids. Commander Savage received the wards at the luncheon in the Delano Hall and
proudly presented them to the Teaching Aids Committee that night at Bayside's Anniversary Dinner
Dance.
Under the chairmanship of P/C Charles Silhan, Bayside added 65 new members to the Squadron in
1970. In the education Department, 13 members had completed all courses offered by USPS.
The 1972 Annual Meeting of the USPS was held in Anaheim, California. Commander Jim Minogue, in
addition to bringing Bayside's Memorial Trophy award winning training aid for competition, also led a
delegation of 24 members and friends to the meeting, by way of San Francisco and Hawaii. Those
who made the trip had a wonderful time and still talk about it.
1973 saw the election of P/C Wally Gould as Commander of District 3. He was the fourth Baysider to
become District Commander.
Many Bayside ladies were taking Advanced Courses and by 1974 five had completed Navigation, two
were Junior Navigators, twenty-six completed advanced Piloting and thirty-five had taken Seamanship.
Shortly after his term of office started in 1976 Commander Nick D'Amato was required by his company
to move to Texas. He was able to carry out his duties as commander with the aid of his other Bridge
Officers. Nick's many years of work in the Squadron were reflected conducting his office, even from a
distance.
In 1979 Bayside's quality leadership was again recognized by the election of P/C Howard Savage as
Commander of District 3.
By 1981 twenty-two Bayside members had a "Full Certificate", having completed all courses offered by
the USPS. This same year Bayside's last surviving charter member made his final voyage. He was
William G.F. Wickman, AP.
Bayside's growth was affected by legal problems which the National organization ran into almost ten
years ago. Serve restrictions imposed on all Squadrons by USPS made membership recruiting
difficult for every Squadron in the country. Members lost by attrition were difficult to replace and
membership declined, not only in Bayside, but in the total USPS membership. Our 1982 - 83 Year
Book shows a total membership of 254 including 19 Life Members. The 1984 Year Book shows
another drop in membership to 203 which includes 20 Life Members. Our present membership stands
at 192 including 23 Life Members.
At the half-century mark we noticed a good trend in the other direction. USPS has settled its legal
problems and removed most of the severe restrictions placed on recruiting new members. Our recent
classes have been larger in size than in the past several years and this appears to be the trend
nationally. Total USPS membership has shown an increase for two consecutive years after
continuously dropping for almost ten years.
Bayside can be proud of its 50-year history. It has always been a leader and produced leaders.
Bayside launched seven Squadrons in the District starting with Neptune in 1983 and then followed by
Manhasset Bay, Little Neck Bay, Smithtown Bay, Sewanaka, College Point and Great Neck. Every
National office in the USPS has been at some time held by a Bayside member. At the present time we
have many who are USPS officers or are serving on important USPS committees.
As we start on our second half-century let us keep up the interest and enthusiasm which has always
been a quality of Bayside members. Our present Commander, Phil Schuster, is continuing the work
started by his predecessor, P/C Tom Biglin, by trying out new programs to get members more active.
Lets not only wish him luck, lets actively support him.
P/R/C Arthur A. Schiller, SN
The history of Bayside continues.
| Bayside Power Squadron A Unit of United States Power Squadrons Sail and Power Boating |
