On Wednesday, January 12, 2011, the 122 year-old club suffered a devastating fire. During a stormy blizzard firefighters from six communities valiantly struggled to protect the clubhouse. In the predawn hours 15 fire engines fought valiantly to save the 1908 building, which was the club's 2nd clubhouse. Fireboats even travelled miles in the storm to fight the fire from the water side. Unfortunately, this special building on Narragansett Bay burned to the pilings and the building and all of its contents are completely lost.
The club's Commodore Lanphear has posted a letter to the membership, which ensures a rebuild and a thriving commitment to continue operating from it's current campus. It's a strong and moving letter and you can read it here. Only the future will tell what the new clubhouse will look
like, but here is a photo of the grand shingled house in Cranston.
Who would have thought that a wooden boat admirer would be early to the online magazine game? Luckily for us, Bill Prince publishes his Classic Yachting Magazine on a regular basis and if you're a (free) subscriber, it gets delivered to an inbox near you. Sign up via this link, which also takes you to the current issue. It's a perfect escape from all this snow. Thanks, Bill!
The season has barely closed, and although most of the great classics in the Northeast have been put away for a well deserved break after a busy sailing season, that doesn't mean we can't start planning for 2011. And so we shall! It may be cold outside, but we can still dream of warm sunny days, sailing in quiet waters with friends while a stiff breeze moves us right along. Or, for those of you who enjoy a great race, keep cozy knowing that next season will once again bring you to stunning venues such as a full harbor in Nantucket during the Opera House Cup or the endless bustle of activity in Newport during the MoY Classic. The current dates and locations of regattas for 2011 are listed on the left - many with links. We'll keep you posted as events develop. And, if you know of a well-organized classic regatta anywhere you'd like added to the list, please drop us a line.
-the Quartermaster
