| Woody Woodford contributes his vintage CRYC photographs, years 1940-41 and 1947,48,49. |
According to Woody, the CRYC "regattas involved several hundred boats, including large ones racing from Gibson Island to here [the Corsica]. Sailors came from all over the Chesapeake Bay region, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey and Long Island. They would generally arrive Friday sometime and were housed with members and other local families. A beach party took place on Friday night, races were conducted on Saturday morning and afternoon, a dinner/dance was held at the Armory [the National Guard Armory on Commerce Street, which is now privately owned] Saturday night, and a race held on Sunday morning. Trophies were awarded slightly after noon and everyone departed Sunday afternoon. The Hampton One-Design was a popular boat in those days. John and Jimmy Valliant, and the Truslow girls from Chestertown participated in this class. Later the Comet became popular, and Roberta (Bobby) Barton was very successful. The Star boats were very sleek. No one here owned one, but persons in Easton, Oxford and St. Michaels did. They were popular in Jersey and Long Island. Dr. Harry Wilmer sponsored that class and one of the pictures shows his son Bill awarding the trophy. Captain Reeves was very active in guiding the club and is shown in one of the |
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Left: Hamptons racing on the Corsica River 1940-1941. Right: the boat house at Pioneer Point.
Left: Hamptons 1947-1949. Right: Star boats 1940-1941.
1940-1941 off Pioneer Point Farm
Left: Hank Wilmer awarding the Hampton Trophy. CRYC still has an old CRYC Hampton trophy in its possession. Henry "Hank" Wilmer was a top Star boat sailor of his day, as was his father, Dr. Harry Wilmer. Source: Terry Blackwood Right: Mess 'o Hamptons off Pioneer Point Farm, 1940-1941.
Left: 1940-1941 - I have no idea who this is, but I'm sure she turned many a head on the Corsica. Right: 1947-1949, two boats, seemingly nearly alone in the Chester River, but take a CLOSE look at the horizon FILLED with sailboats.
Launching the boats from the beach. |
