a unit of United States Power Squadrons®
75 years ago. Read below how
and RPS came into being.
How
In
1912 when the motor boat was just becoming reliable, and speeds of 8 to 10
knots were being achieved by the more powerful boats, a group of Boston Yacht
Club members, feeling that there was a serious lack of knowledge of the proper
handling of motor boats, instituted special activities for power boats, including
instructional classes in their operation. Thus began the "Power Squadron
of the Boston Yacht Club." Soon other eastern yacht clubs learned of the
movement, found it to be attractive, and sought to join in the work. This led
to meetings at the New York Yacht Club and the formation of the national
organization in 1914. The original membership requirements laid great stress on
the ability to handle boats properly. Also because of the war in
By
1916, the membership had grown to some five hundred. The instruction program
had taken on definite form and the fore-runner of the present-day Junior
Navigation Course had been instituted. It encompassed only the bare essentials
of today's course, and was given as a series of four lectures during the
winter. Passing a special examination and attendance of four drills per year
for three years made a member a Junior Navigator. Despite the limited lecture
program, the examination included some of the subject matter of the present
Navigator Course, which dates from 1917.
As
the
With
the return of peace, the boat drill requirement was dropped from the Squadrons'
program and emphasis was shifted to instructional activities as a service to
its members. The USPS constitution was re-drafted to implement the objectives,
and the organization was reconstituted on a truly national basis. The
development of USPS as it is known today had begun.
At
the outset, progress was relatively slow, but the instruction program was
carried on from year to year and the membership continued to grow. The old
distinction between sail and power boating faded, and the squadrons began to
appeal to all those interested in the handling of small boats. In the late
1920's, a thorough review of the entire instruction program for its members was
undertaken and from this study emerged the work in the Advanced Grades, which
made provision for the courses now known as Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior
Navigation and Navigation. Through continuous development, USPS evolved a
well-rounded educational program administered by its members who are some of
the best informed and most enthusiastic boatmen in the country. United States
Power Squadrons is a civilian body in every way and, although officers and
members may wear uniforms, it is in no sense a military organization. Any boat,
when it displays the Ensign of United States Power Squadrons is marked as being
under the command of an individual who has earned the right to display this
symbol.
The following was taken from an article written for
Rochester Power Squadron
by Donald R. Messina.
The
story of Rochester Squadron is the story of one man, F. Ritter Shumway.... Back
in 1934 Ritter was refueling at Montauk Point when a novice boater swung in
close and asked "Which is the way to
In
January 1938 the Rochester Yacht Club (RYC) Commodore, Harold Field, and club
member Bob Gordon attended the New York Boat Show and returned enthused about
USPS from information learned at the show. They approached Ritter and asked him
to teach the USPS course to RYC members. He gladly accepted. Thus, in February
1938 about 14 people enrolled in the first USPS Piloting course offered in
Rochester Sail and Power Squadron celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1988. Today its total membership numbers slightly under 300 and includes full active members, family members and associate members. It has grown over the years both in number of members and scope of activities. In 1988 it was the third- largest squadron in USPS. Its membership grew to over 700 in years past and two other squadrons were formed from Rochester Squadron as membership increased. They were Iroquois Power Squadron chartered in 1961 and Red Jacket Power Squadron chartered in 1976.
During the past 70 years Rochester Squadron has taught the USPS Boating Course (originally called the Piloting Course) to many thousands of students. Through self-education, many hundreds if not thousands of advanced grade and elective courses have been completed by its members. The Advanced Grade Courses range from Seamanship through Piloting, Advanced Piloting, and Junior Navigation to Navigation. The Piloting courses stress navigation within sight of land, with emphasis on effects of tides and currents at the Advanced Piloting level, while the Navigation courses cover celestial navigation. The Navigation courses are equal in all respects to those taught by the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Elective Courses include Weather, Sail, Marine Electronics, Engine Maintenance, Cruise Planning and Instructor Qualification. There are also a number of supplemental courses which may be self-taught.
Squadron
members and their guests participate in many social events including the annual
Founders' Day celebration, Safe Boating Week activities, Squadron Rendezvous,
the summer picnic, and the Commanders' Ball. Many members participate in the
combined business/social district conferences, USPS Governing Board Meetings
and the USPS Annual Meeting. Members also participate in manning the squadron
educational booths at various boat shows in the
Originally a male only organization, the squadron is now oriented to the family, and equal opportunities exist for both male and female members. Rochester Power Squadron is proud of its many members who contribute meritorious service given unselfishly in the interests of its organization.
SAFER BOATING THROUGH EDUCATION
Revised 08 March 2012