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History, Natural History & the Arts

Atlantic Yacht Club: A Brief History

April 12, 2021 by Judith Berdy 1 Comment

The Atlantic Yacht Club’s facilities have moved several times over its history: the first facility was located at the foot of Court Street on Gowanus Bay in Gowanus, Brooklyn; it subsequently moved to a site at the foot of 55th Street in the neighborhood that subsequently became known as Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

In 1898 the club moved to its most famous club-house, located in Seagate. Seagate is located on the western end of Coney Island, and the club facilities were located on the northern, inland, side of Coney Island facing Gravesend Bay.

The Atlantic Yacht Club was organized in 1866 by a breakaway group from the earlier Brooklyn Yacht Club. Within five years its membership roll eclipsed those of the Brooklyn Yacht Club and the club developed a reputation as an active Corinthian sailing organization that attracted many of Long Island’s most prominent citizens and soon drew in members from throughout the region, including prominent sailors.

The Club rapidly developed into one of the most active yacht clubs in New York, hosting regular regattas and competing against the leading yacht clubs in the region. The Club’s annual Atlantic Race Week and Lipton Cup Regatta regularly drew sailors from around the world to compete in multiple classes. The club was also a driving force behind the formation of the United States Power Squadrons in 1914.

The club’s original clubhouse was a barge that was moored at the foot of Court Street at the end of Gowanus Creek, facing Gowanus Bay. Gowanus Creek, and the Erie Basin in Red Hook, Brooklyn served for several decades as a center of the New York sailing and yachting community, and several important boat yards were located in the area. As time passed, however, increasing industrialization in the area led many to relocate to other sites around New York Harbor and, indeed, locations in Long Island Sound. In the early 1880s, the club acquired a waterfront farm property on 55th Street in Yellow Hook, Brooklyn.

The neighborhood subsequently assumed the name of Bay Ridge, a name suggested by club-member, former Commodore and leading Brooklyn florist James Weir. The converted clubhouse was soon replaced by a larger facility constructed at the end of the club’s new pier at the end of 55th Street. A marina and anchorage were established at the same site at that time.

A new clubhouse at Seagate was designed by Frank Tallman Cornell and built in 1898 on Poplar Avenue overlooking Gravesend Bay (the site of the old clubhouse becoming the main yard of the Morse Dry Dock and Repair Company). The move to the new clubhouse was driven in large part by Commodore George Jay Gould I, the prominent financier and a son of Jay Gould. The club attracted New York socialites and aristocrats, including prominent members of the Auchincloss, Dodge, Elsworth, Fish, Gould, Hoagland, Iselin, Vermilye and Voorhees families, among many others. Sir Thomas Lipton, J.P. Morgan and the Earl of Dunraven (the British challenger for the America’s Cup, with his yacht Valkyrie ) were among the club’s members.

Initially intended as a snub directed at the New York Yacht Club’s largely steam-powered yachting fleet, at Lipton’s recommendation the regatta was encharged to the New York Yacht Club. In due course, the regatta was won by the yacht Atlantic , sponsored by the New York Yacht Club, and skippered by Charlie Barr. Barr, a three-time winner of the America’s Cup, was one of the leading sailors of his day.

The Atlantic sailed to victory in record time, establishing trans-Atlantic mono-hull records that stood for 100 years. The AYC’s entry, the yacht Thistle , a schooner built in 1901 by New York’s Townsend & Dourney and owned and skippered by Robert E Tod, finished 10th. Tod, a New York investment banker, was the only owner-skipper in the regatta.

The Atlantic Yacht Club’s Seagate clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 1933. The club soldiered-on for a number of years thereafter, becoming inactive in the 1950s. It was revived several decades later, in the early 21st century, and today, the AYC operates off Bay Parkway, directly across Gravesend Bay from its earlier Sea Gate location, with a social facility in Brooklyn Heights.

This story is courtesy the Roosevelt Island Historical Society, founded in 1977 to recover, maintain and disseminate the record of Roosevelt Island’s heritage from colonial times to the present. Visit their website at www.rihs.us .

Photos of Atlantic Yacht Club, and the yacht Shamrock III, owned by Sir Thomas Lipton, being launched, supported on pontoons.

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March 17, 2023 at 8:02 PM

My great-great grandfather, William Van Nyse Hanson, was a ship joiner, was involved in the building of the America, and was an honorasry member of the Atlantic Yacht Club (as well as a Commodore at the Amateur Yacht Club) in the 1800s. How can I find out more information about his relationship to these organizations?

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Atlantic Yacht Club publications

Call number, language of materials.

The Atlantic Yacht Club publications date from 1866 to 1891 and measure 0.42 linear feet. The collection contains yearbooks for the club and a program from the first annual regatta. In addition to the club's charter, constitution, bylaws, and rules and regulations, yearbooks in the collection list club officers, members, and yachts in the club's fleet. The yearbooks also include a signal chart identifying the flags used on each vessel in the club.

Historical note

The Atlantic Yacht Club was based in Brooklyn, N.Y. Founded in 1866, the club was formed to support and encourage recreational yachting in the New York Bay. The first club house was located at the foot of Court Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook. The club house moved in 1881, to the foot of 55th Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Sunset Park, and again in 1898 to Sea Gate, at the western end of Coney Island. After a club house fire in 1933, the Atlantic Yacht Club fell into inactivity before being revived in the early 21st century by a new generation of sailing enthusiasts.

The Atlantic Yacht Club was a sailing social club founded in 1866. Based in Brooklyn, N.Y., the club was formed to support and encourage recreational yachting in the New York Bay. The first club house was located at the foot of Court Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook. The club house moved in 1881, to the foot of 55th Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Sunset Park, and again in 1898 to Sea Gate, at the western end of Coney Island. After a club house fire in 1933, the Atlantic Yacht Club fell into inactivity before being revived in the early 21st century by a new generation of sailing enthusiasts.

• Atlantic Yacht Club. "History." Accessed December 14, 2010. http://www.atlanticyachtclub.org/history.html

Scope and Contents

Organizations, conditions governing access.

Open to researchers without restriction.

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, date (if known); Atlantic Yacht Club publications, ARC.140, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Portions of this collection were the gift of William Peet, date unknown. Source and date of acquisition of remaining items in the collection are unknown.

Collection processed by

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Minimally processed to the collection level.

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About: Atlantic Yacht Club

The Atlantic Yacht Club is a family-oriented yacht club located on the shores of Gravesend Bay in south Brooklyn. A storied member of the New York sailing community, the club is perhaps best known for its contributions to New York sailing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it featured prominently as one of the leading yacht clubs of its day.

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Club Phone  732 291 1118 Dock Phone 732 291 3232

The club is open  Wednesday through Saturday at 4 PM, and Sunday from 3 PM until 7 PM. Our galley opens at 5:30 PM Wednesday through Saturday, and from 3 PM until 7 PM on Sundays. Join us for socializing, cocktails and our delicious menu.  .   Reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday dinner service.  Call or text our Club Steward at 732-670-1475 to reserve your table.  Feel like joining us for dinner last minute?   We will do our very best to  accommodate  you. To view this week's menus, click the link below:

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Situated in a bustling arts community on the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club has been a part of the sailing community for over 100 years.

We pride ourselves in creating a relaxed private club atmosphere with a warm, friendly, family-oriented environment.  we offer a wide variety of social activities and our clubs within a club meet a plethora of special interests for our members where they can mix and mingle. , banquets & catering, community events.

What's happening at St Petersburg Yacht Club?

 Print This Page  Text Size  Scroll To Top Photo Albums Membership Inquiry Weather and Tides 40º 20' 12.437" N   73º 58' 39.803" W Experience the best of the northeast coast, our history. In 1961, a group of enthusiastic cruising Yachtsman decided to form a club. These five men sent out letters to fifteen perspective members. Twenty-five showed up for the initial meeting! The dues were set at $25.00 per year, including the burgee, and we were under way. “Atlantis” seemed a fitting name because the Club, like the mythical city, was only a dream, a possibility, and its very existence seemed unlikely. Atlantis Yacht Club's vision is to foster a boating-oriented environment that creates a lifetime of enriching experiences for our members, families, and friends through a shared love of boating, a spirit of camaraderie, and a commitment to the club's traditions and the protection and preservation of our environment. The Board of Governors, Officers and membership are committed to honoring the vision of the founding members by being good stewards of the club and its traditions while constantly modernizing our facilities and services to keep pace with the future needs of our membership. The current membership recognizes the investment of time and care of those that went before us and will always endeavor to pay forward what we are so privileged to enjoy today. Come Visit Us! Phone: 732-222-9693, 66 river avenue, monmouth beach, nj 07750, google maps directions. Open Daily 10am - 5pm | 365 Thames Street, Newport RI, 02840 Plan Your Visit Open Daily 10am - 5pm  Plan Your Visit Yacht Clubs St. Petersburg Yacht Club Rich in history and tradition, the St. Petersburg Yacht Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in the United States. Established in 1909 and having been completely renovated in the early 1990s, the Club is located on the beautiful waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. A gathering place for avid boaters, it is also one of Tampa Bay’s most prestigious social venues. The yacht club is famous for its standard of race management and events are run almost all year round. Juniors learn to sail. Sailors have represented the club all over the world. Stories from St. Petersburg Yacht Club St Petersburg’s city fathers had ambitious plans for their commercial docks: create waterfront parks and a yacht club. The St Petersburg Yacht Club was founded in 1909. Following the reclamation and completion of the waterfront, the clubhouse was inaugurated on its current site in 1917. Two years later, 6 Fish Class sailboats were acquired and one design racing began. Several classes have returned annually for over 60 years. Offshore racing started with the Havana Race in 1930. As forerunner of SORC, both brought sailors from all over the world to Tampa Bay. Tito Vargas Sign up for our Newsletter Check out our monthly newsletter that includes upcoming events, news and more. " * " indicates required fields The Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame 365 Thames St. Newport RI 02840 401.324.5761 The Sailing Museum National sailing hall of fame, get involved. Become a Member Host an Event © 2011 – 2024 The Sailing Museum and National Sailing Hall of Fame  |  Privacy Policy   |  Site Credits 472 IMAGES Atlantic Yacht Club Home Start, Atlantic Yacht Club regatta, 1897 June 15 Stock Photo Atlantic Yacht Club, Atlantic Yacht Club Atlantic Yacht Club, Atlantic Yacht Club Atlantic Yacht Club House, Bay Ridge, Atlantic Yacht Club posters COMMENTS Atlantic Yacht Club The Atlantic Yacht Club is a family-oriented yacht club located on the shores of Gravesend Bay in south Brooklyn. A storied member of the New York sailing community, the club is perhaps best known for its contributions to New York sailing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it featured prominently as one of the leading yacht clubs ... Atlantic Yacht Club: A Brief History The AYC's entry, the yacht Thistle, a schooner built in 1901 by New York's Townsend & Dourney and owned and skippered by Robert E Tod, finished 10th. Tod, a New York investment banker, was the only owner-skipper in the regatta. The Atlantic Yacht Club's Seagate clubhouse was destroyed by fire in 1933. The club soldiered-on for a number of ... Atlantic Yacht Club Atlantic Yacht Club Atlantic Yacht Club Atlantic Yacht Club. 136 likes. Founded in 1998, Atlantic Yacht Club is a covered storage facility adjacent to MarineMax in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina Atlantic Yacht Club Atlantic Yacht Club The Atlantic Yacht Club was founded in 1866 by members of the Brooklyn Yacht Club committed to promoting yachting in New York Harbor at a time when sailing was increasingly migrating to locations futher afield. The Club's original facilities were located at the foot of Court Street on Gowanus Bay, where the Club would remain until 1881, when ... Atlantic Yacht Club Useful Links: US Sailing New England Beetlecat US J24 Class International Laser Class USODA Local Links: Norton Point Geographics Boater's Box Waterwire Atlantic Yacht Club publications The Atlantic Yacht Club publications date from 1866 to 1891 and measure 0.42 linear feet. The collection contains yearbooks for the club and a program from the first annual regatta. In addition to the club's charter, constitution, bylaws, and rules and regulations, yearbooks in the collection list club officers, members, and yachts in the club's fleet. The yearbooks also include a signal chart ... About: Atlantic Yacht Club The Atlantic Yacht Club is a family-oriented yacht club located on the shores of Gravesend Bay in south Brooklyn. A storied member of the New York sailing community, the club is perhaps best known for its contributions to New York sailing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when it featured prominently as one of the leading yacht clubs ... Atlantic Yacht Club The Atlantic Yacht Club is dedicated to: Instilling and enhancing an interest in sailing and the spirit of sportsmanship in members and their families; Encouraging and providing programs for members and their families to promote and support sailboat racing in the Corinthian spirit; Homepage Atlantic Yachting is a boutique, family-run sailing company and Manhattan's oldest sailing school. Eighteen years later, Atlantic Yachting has grown to become Manhattan's premier sailing provider, offering everything from Private Sailboat Charters, to Group and Private Sailing Lessons for adults, and New York City's first Summer Sailing Programs for kids. Home Welcome to the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club . Founded in 1953, the mission of the AHYC is to attract and bring together dedicated individuals who share a mutual respect for the sea, and to encourage and advance all aspects of boating, yacht racing, and on-water activities, including offering a welcome and safe haven to yachtsmen and yachtswomen who visit the harbor. Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. 1,007 likes · 21 talking about this · 3,464 were here. The offical page of the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club. AHYC offers a welcome and... General 4 Ships about to go down. ⚓️. 2 E Atlantic Ave Delray Beach, FL. Hours Monday: 4:00pm-12:00am. Tuesday: 4:00pm-12:00am. Wednesday: 4:00pm-12:00am. Thursday: 4:00pm ... Home What's happening at St Petersburg Yacht Club? Address: 11 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 | 2301 Pass-a-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 Phone: 727-822-3873 Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club Welcome to the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club! Since its founding in 1953, the mission of the AHYC has been to attract and bring together dedicated individuals who share a mutual respect for the sea, and to encourage and advance all aspects of boating, yacht racing, and on-water activities, including offering a welcome and safe haven to yachtsmen and yachtswomen who visit the harbor. Located ... Gulf Atlantic Yacht Club Gulf Atlantic Yacht Club 29.65° N 82.32° W . The Gulf Atlantic Yacht Club was founded in 1976 to provide on-going sailing opportunities, education, and fellowship for its members. Located in North Central Florida, we meet locally in Gainesville, and during COVID, are meeting via Zoom. Join us via Zoom for sailing conversation and learn more ... Atlantic Yacht Club ATLANTIC YACHT CLUB : History : Mission Atlantis Yacht Club Atlantis Yacht Club, Monmouth Beach, New Jersey. 481 likes · 2 talking about this · 1,278 were here. A yacht club where we create lifetime memories for members, crew and friends. Our beautiful... Atlantis Yacht Club, Monmouth Beach, New Jersey. 481 likes · 2 talking about this · 1,278 were here. ... Home In 1961, a group of enthusiastic cruising Yachtsman decided to form a club. These five men sent out letters to fifteen perspective members. Twenty-five showed up for the initial meeting! The dues were set at $25.00 per year, including the burgee, and we were under way. "Atlantis" seemed a fitting name because the Club, like the mythical ... St. Petersburg Yacht Club St Petersburg's city fathers had ambitious plans for their commercial docks: create waterfront parks and a yacht club. The St Petersburg Yacht Club was founded in 1909. Following the reclamation and completion of the waterfront, the clubhouse was inaugurated on its current site in 1917. Two years later, 6 Fish Class sailboats were acquired ... Waterfront Sailing Center Website. 250 2nd Avenue SE. St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Office: 727-822-3113. Office Hours: Weekdays 12:00pm - 8:00pm. *Hours Dependent on Weather & Practice Schedules. Email Us. Sailing Center Website. Location, contact info, arrival plan & dock plan for Downtown Marina, PAG Marina, Snell Isle Marina. Bars and lounges on Queen Victoria Yacht Club When the rest of the ship is winding down, Queen Victoria's Yacht Club can always be counted on to keep the party going. Open for Insights talks, choir rehearsals, and dance classes during the day, this nautical themed lounge-bar takes on a whole new persona come nightfall. St. Petersburg Yacht Club SPYC is a Private Yacht Club ~ Founded in... St. Petersburg Yacht Club, Saint Petersburg, Florida. 5,929 likes · 99 talking about this · 51,423 were here. SPYC is a Private Yacht Club ~ Founded in 1909, and one of the oldest Yacht Club's on... catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht