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The Elusive History of Comet-Class Sail Racing
Wealth of knowledge awaits discovery in historically black clubs, by ayana bean, nmb curatorial assistant, research | august 6, 2020, reading time: 3 minutes.
*From the archives. This article first appeared in MARITimes 2019 Vol 32
Bermuda has a rich competitive sailing history, with some historic gems tucked away within the minds of living club members and the older generation of those who experienced the heyday of sailing. Last year marked the 75th anniversary of the Edward Cross Comet race, which usually takes place on National Heroes Day (June 17) between the West End Sailboat Club, Mid Atlantic Boat and Sports Club and East End Mini Yacht Club. Although some regattas and clubs have endured, most of the history of sailing clubs and racing is passed down solely through oral history; therefore, it proves difficult when trying to gather data through traditional research methods. As a result, for several weeks I had a unique opportunity to delve into the world of Comet racing and record how it became a part of Bermuda’s story.
The Comet was first named the “Star Junior” after the Star class and was later renamed “Comet” to appease the president of the Star class at the time in America who wished to use the name for short-rigged old Stars. The Comet is a small, fast, and easily manageable boat designed by C. Lowndes Johnson of Easton, MD, in 1932. However, it wasn’t until 1937 that Elliott “Nick” Swan purportedly owned one of the first in Bermuda. About three years later, local craftsmen began building their own Comets. Some of those craftsmen were the forefathers of the Comet class clubs that are still active today.
Elfie Cann, Edward “Jack” Cross, and Ossie Philpott are some of the men instrumental in forming the West End Sailboat Club in 1941. The Somerset men enjoyed sailing and boat building, and, it seems, sport in general as Ossie had been the Somerset Cricket Club treasurer.
Founding members of West End Sailboat Club (from left): Ossie Philpott, Charles Batson Swan, Mickey Manders, and Eugene Philpott
Shortly after, in the central part of Bermuda, the Mid-Atlantic Boat & Sports Club was developed in 1944. Early founding members included Elsworth Lovell, Lawrence Hendrickson Sr., and Edward “Gates” Smith. The latter raced until he was well into his seventies and was one of the oldest active members of the Comet class in the 1990s. The youngest club involved in Comet racing is the East End Mini Yacht Club, which started in 1968 and has been located in the same building since its inception. Guy Millett, Alton Millett, and James Wade had their first meeting with five others at Convict Bay, St. George’s.
The Long Distance Race came about at the West End Sailboat Club, which hosted the first race in May 1944. The early route was slightly different, running from Somerset Bridge to St. George’s Harbour instead of between clubs as it does today. The first winner of this race was Canute “Tutor” Lambert, who won in his boat Sea Hawk . The following year, the race was named in honour of Edward “Jack” Cross, who designed and carved the competition’s cedar trophy.
In May 1944, Canute “tutor” Lambert won the inaugural Long Distance Comet Race in his boat “Sea Hawk”
Initially my project was to create a profile on each of the Comet Class Sailing Clubs, but I was encouraged to search and find out more. My thanks to Maxine Esdaille and members of local sailing clubs including Rear Commodore of the West End Sailboat Club, Gladwin Lambert, for sharing their knowledge. There is still more work ahead to develop a more comprehensive account of historically black sailing clubs in Bermuda, which still organise at least 10 regattas a year during the season from April to November.
Watch IslandStats recap of this year’s race held July 30, 2020, including an interview with winners Maxwell Curtis and crew Stefan Furbert:
If you have any information, objects, or photographs relating to Comet racing in Bermuda you would like to donate please contact Curator Deborah Atwood at [email protected]
Former Berkley and Bermuda College student Ayana Bean began her relationship with the Museum over 10 years ago as a student volunteer. She is currently interning with the Museum while she prepares for her next adventure, a degree in Power Engineering.
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Mariners: Annual Long Distance Comet Sailboat Race On June 17
Sports | Uncategorized | June 13, 2024
The following notice is from the Director of the Department of Marine and Ports Services:
The West End Sailboat Club will host the Annual Long Distance Comet Sailboat Race between St George’s and Somerset on Monday, June 17, 2024.
The race will start at 11am off the East End Mini Yacht Club in St Georges Harbour. The comets will make their way westerly up the North Shore, ending approximately three hours later off the West End Sailboat Club in the Great Sound.
Mariners should give adequate clearance and minimal wake when near the racing comets.
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 My family is what makes me proud says Lee, 82Robert Lee had never rowed in his life so at 76, when a friend suggested he give it a try, he was a little bemused. Six years later, however, he is in love with the sport. Twice a week at 8am the eager member of the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club is at the East End Mini Yacht Club. “I am 82 now,” he said. “Sometimes they tease me about being the oldest in the group, but there is not a member under 60.” The rowing has been good for his health. Since he started, Mr Lee has lost 12lbs and an inch-and-a-half off his waistband. Most often he turns up just for the fun of it but he still remembers – with some horror – the year a racing crew was short one person. “They looked at me and I said, 'You have to be kidding …' They put me in the boat. I kept up with them, sort of. We won but at the end of the race, they said, 'Bob, you have to raise your oar, we won!' I said, 'My arms are so tired, I don’t know if I have enough strength in my arms to raise the oar.'” In his younger years he was quite sporty. While studying English and history at Princeton University in New Jersey he was an ice hockey goalie. Back in Bermuda years later, he joined the Renegades Rugby Club. In September 1972, they were getting ready to play a game in New York. “Me and two Australians were doing wind sprints up the dunes on the South Shore at Horseshoe Bay,” he said. “I was in the best shape of my life. Then we had a practice game and three people landed on my left shoulder. I did not get rid of the ball fast enough. I was playing wing. “I had to go up to New York for them to put two pins in my shoulder." As luck would have it, only a few days before his rugby accident, he had met a flight attendant named Barbara who lived in the Big Apple. “She was working for TWA," he said. "I said, 'See you in New York in ten days. I will be playing rugby.' Then I had to call her and say I’m coming up, but not to play rugby. I am getting surgery.” They were married nine months later. “I am most proud of my children [Sean, Tim, Chris and Elizabeth] and of being married to Barbara,” Mr Lee said. “I had a lot of rough edges and she has smoothed over a lot of the edges and made me a better person.” Mr Lee grew up on Pitts Bay Road in Pembroke. His father, also called Robert Lee, was originally from New York City but moved to Bermuda in the 1930s and married a local girl, Helen Trimingham. Her father, Reginald, ran the Bank of Bermuda. After university Mr Lee went there to work but left after four years. “Banking was just not for me,” he said. Instead he partnered with Jay Bluck to form Heritage House, an antiques business on Front Street. After a few years, they parted ways and he established another antique shop, Pegasus, on Pitts Bay Road. When the cost of shipping larger items like furniture became too prohibitive, Mr Lee decided to specialise in antique prints and maps, particularly Bermuda maps. He often found his treasures in England and Europe. He sold one print to the National Museum of the US Navy in Washington DC. “It was a post War of Independence engraving,” he said. “Then Government House in Bermuda found they did not have an antique map of Bermuda, so they priced things out of Chicago and London. Someone said, 'Try Bob Lee at Pegasus.' They said, 'He will be too expensive.' Lo and behold, the map I had was in the best condition and being offered at the lowest price. It ended up at Government House.” He also had a passion for antique horse brass, the decorative plaques used on horse harness gear, especially shire and parade horses. One of his horse brass sets was made in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Mr Lee can remember a few instances of horses wearing brass in Bermuda when he was growing up. “I remember there was a man who used to pick up freight from the docks,” he said. “He would go up Pitts Bay Road. He also used to pick up ice at Miles by the waterfront. I think his name was Mr Hurst. I used to go to his stables a lot.” He was in business for 38 years. Initially, many of his customers were honeymooners from the Hamilton Princess. “Then in 2003 tourism was declining as we knew it,” he said. “I was getting people in, but it was changing to the business community. So I closed the shop.” He now enjoys gardening around Somerville, his home on Middle Road in Smith’s. Back in the 1980s, he took part in a successful campaign opposing a change in zoning at Outer Lea Farm on Middle Road in Smiths that would allow the installation of multi-unit dwellings. “I spent months going to planning and learning the rules and talking with neighbours. On our appeal against a very questionable decision by planning, Haskins Davis, Minister of Planning, ruled in our favour and the farm was saved," Mr Lee said. Although many residents have complained because of the smell that often drifts from the Green Land Dairy, he does not regret his efforts. “The problem is not the cows, but the pit that is there now,” he said. “If you get rid of the pit over there it will go back to normal. Mr Lee has also led a charge to try to protect a large rubber tree growing at the bottom of his garden. “The rubber tree outside my home was planted in 1847,” he said. “It was planted the same year as the one in Hamilton by the Bermuda National Library. The Public Works Department don’t like it because the branches go over Middle Road.” Landscapers Brown & Company have done a good job of pruning it back; less successful were his efforts at obtaining a preservation order. “They said they don’t do preservation orders for trees,” he said. Lifestyle profiles the island’s senior citizens every Wednesday. Contact Jessie Moniz Hardy on 278-0150 or [email protected] with the full name and contact details and the reason you are suggesting them You must be Registered or Signed in to post comment or to vote. 
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Facebook. Renna Lee Paiva is drinking with friends at East End Mini Yacht Club. entosopSdmn a 77 luJ l0m A7 M 0aicl e cm t 0 gihm · Saint George, Bermuda ·. This is going to be a great race!!! 17.
News | August 31, 2019. East End Mini Yacht Club reopens at 10pm tonight, after police implemented a temporary closure order following an assault at the club last weekend. A police spokesman said that Renall Caisey, the commodore of the club, has opted to keep the club closed until 10pm on Saturday, as opposed to 7pm, Police issued the order ...
East End Mini Yacht Club Convict Bay , Saint George , Bermuda , GE 05 | Directions 441-297-0558 Bar
East End Mini Yacht Club. Convict Bay, Saint George, Bermuda, GE 05 | Directions. 441-297-0558 Bar
The East End Mini Yacht Club made a clean sweep of the podium at the Lawrence "Stickers" Hendrickson Jr Memorial Regatta at the weekend.Stevie Dickinson won Sunday's Comet class regatta ...
East End Mini Yacht Club . sports ; East End Mini Yacht Club Address: Convict Bay Ln, St.George's, Bermuda Phone: +1 441-297-0558 . Town Manager Candy-Lee Foggo #5 Ordnance Island, St. George's GE 05 T: 441 297-1532 | E: [email protected]. Police St. George's Community Policing Office ...
East End Mini Yacht Club - During the year of 1968, the official fleet charter was established, filling St. Georges Harbour with a fleet of approximately 22 multi-colored Bermuda built Comets....
Shortly after, in the central part of Bermuda, the Mid-Atlantic Boat & Sports Club was developed in 1944. Early founding members included Elsworth Lovell, Lawrence Hendrickson Sr., and Edward "Gates" Smith. ... The youngest club involved in Comet racing is the East End Mini Yacht Club, which started in 1968 and has been located in the same ...
In 1972, Albert "Nervy" Symonds, of WESC, and Colin Clarke, of the East End Mini Yacht Club, were made honorary members. Women have always formed an integral part of the club.
After a difficult leg of nearly five days of light air and upwind sailing, all teams have finished their first leg of the Spirit of Bermuda Charity Rally, organized by the East End Mini Yacht Club (EEMYC) and the Sailing Yacht Research Foundation (SYRF).
That first Race in 1944 had twelve (12) boats in the fleet. This year, the 75th Annual Edward Cross Long Distance Comet Race has surpassed that number and will host sixteen (16) boats. The Race will start from West End Sailboat Club (WESC) at 11am and travel down the North Shore, ending in St George's Harbour at East End Mini Yacht (EEMYC).
Curtis and Furbert, also of East End Mini Yacht Club, came out on top of an intense duel with Lambert and Hendrickson to take second in 2:32:00. "I'm pleased with second," Curtis said.
The following notice is from the Director of the Department of Marine and Ports Services: The West End Sailboat Club will host the Annual Long Distance Comet Sailboat Race between St George's and Somerset on Monday, June 17, 2024. The race will start at 11am off the East End Mini Yacht Club in St Georges Harbour. The comets will make their ...
The cancellation of two major biennial yacht races to Bermuda this year - the Newport-Bermuda and Annapolis-Bermuda races - has not stopped the enthusiasm for 22 sailors to race to the Onion Patch anyway now that the island nation has become open for visitors in the inaugural Spirit of Bermuda Charity Rally organized by the East End Mini Yacht Club (EEMYC) of St George's and the Sailing Yacht ...
You can contact East End Mini Yacht Club by phone using number (441) 297-0558. East End Mini Yacht Club primary category is Corporate management. ... East End Mini Yacht Club Convict Bay Ln, St.George's, Bermuda St. George's Parish, Bermuda Get Directions. Phone: (441) 297-0558. Facebook Profile: Visit. Google Maps: Visit. Foursquare: Visit.
The Stella Maris Church is the name given to a parish church of the Catholic Church is located at 3 Duke of Clarence Street, in the town of Saint George of the British overseas territory of Bermuda in the North Atlantic Ocean. Stella Maris Church is situated 290 metres west of East End Mini Yacht Club.
Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. The third oldest 'Royal' club outside British shores, establishing itself as one of the premier yacht clubs in the world. Drop Your Anchor. ... Upon arrival in Bermuda, yacht captains and planners are greeted with welcoming entry process. Bermuda's ports are expertly equipped to accommodate yachts and superyachts ...
The rally, named after the Bermuda Sloop Foundation flagship, included the Bermuda Triangle Race on Saturday and was organised by the East End Mini Yacht Club, which also used the event to mark ...
CONTACT US Ptix Customer Care: [email protected] For the quickest response, please email us. Customer Support: 441-278-1500 Fax: 441-278-1507 HOURS MONDAY TO FRIDAY
50 Bayshore Drive St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Marina Office: 727-822-3227 Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 5:00pm Friday - Sunday 7:30am - 5:30pm Email Us Arrival Plan Dock Plan
PETERSBURG YACHT CLUB 1981 Langston Holland 1997 Frank I. Mendelblatt, M.D. 1985 Robert V. Workman 1999 William C. Welch, M.D. 1989 Frank M. Scarritt 2001 Wayne "Skipp" Fraser 1993 John Wm. Barger Jr. 2007 C. Fred Deuel 1983 R. Donald Mastry 1987 Lloyd E. Williams Jr. 1991 David H. Knowlton 2003 David S. Cox 1995 William R. Hough
Twice a week at 8am the eager member of the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club is at the East End Mini Yacht Club. "I am 82 now," he said. "Sometimes they tease me about being the oldest in the group ...
Neva Yacht Club. The Neva Yacht Club ( Yacht-club Neva or simply Club Neva) is a sailing club located in Saint Petersburg, Russia, close to the Neva River. It was founded in 1718 and was re-established as a club in 1958. It claims to be the first and oldest yacht club in Russia and even in the world, though this is challenged by the Royal Cork ...
St. Petersburg Yacht Club, Saint Petersburg, Florida. 5,934 likes · 121 talking about this · 51,482 were here. SPYC is a Private Yacht Club ~ Founded in... SPYC is a Private Yacht Club ~ Founded in 1909, and one of the oldest Yacht Club's on...