A Brief History Of The Sue Island Sail And Power Squadron
1944-2006

As Sue Island Sail and Power Squadron enters its 62nd year, we should stop and thank those ten members of the Baltimore Yacht Club- ten men of vision- who wanted a Power Squadron at the Baltimore Yacht Club. These men took the public course, then known as the Piloting Course, joined the Patapsco River Squadron, and returned to the BYC to teach.

In 1944, they, along with other members of Patapsco River Power Squadron transferred to become Charter members of Sue Island Power Squadron. Cdr William B. Mathews, Commander of Patapsco River Power Squadron, made the chilly February ferry trip (there was no causeway at that time) to supervise our first election. Cdr George J. Ramming, JN was elected our First Commander. On June 10, 1944 Chief Commander Bertrand H. Perry, N presented our March 10, 1944 Charter at our first Graduation Dinner-Dance.

The first issue of THE ISLANDER came off the press in May 1945. From 1964 until 1970, we tried some new ideas, but THE ISLANDER lives on, bringing news of Sue Island to its members. For many years THE ISLANDER has been awarded the USPS's Excellence in Journalism Award.

Our Educational Program grew by leaps and bounds throughout the 1940s and 1950s. In addition to the courses available to our members, Sue Island conducted the Piloting Course for the general public at various locations in the area. Our greatest public attendance occurred in 1957 when more than 300 students enrolled in our Piloting Courses.

By 1975 Sue Island had 11 men and one woman, Helen Bues, a Certificate Holder, who had successfully completed all of the courses offered at that time to USPS members. Today there are 21 Senior Navigators in Sue Island.

At the D/ 5 Fall Conference in November 1989, Cdr Gordon E. Rhodes, SN and again in November 1998, Cdr Joseph A. Revak, SN accepted the prestigious Prince Henry Award for Sue Island in recognition of its teaching of the JN and N courses. In 1991, Lt Robert E. Powell, N received the D/5 Charles F. Chapman Award for Outstanding Teaching.

Over the years, as times change, some of our earlier affairs too have changed. At one time we held a Founders Day-Graduation Dinner-Dance, a Commanders Fall Dinner-Dance (to honor all Past Commanders), a Saturday Night Party at Marco Hall, and a Country Party at Bowerman's, which was an oyster roast hosted by our member George Bowerman and his wife, Minnie.

The Founders Day-Graduation Dinner-Dance later combined with the Commanders Fall Dinner-Dance and is now our Founders Day celebration. Cdr Fredrick W. Ringger, Jr., SN replaced the Commander's Farewell affair with the Formal Change of Watch in 1970, and remains in place to this day. The Country Party has become Oktoberfest or the Western Jamboree.

Every year we held three Navigation Contests to select the boats to compete at the D/5 Summer Rendezvous Navigation Contest. In the fifties, Sea Scout Ship #352, also known as the SSS Dolphin, was berthed at the Baltimore Yacht Club. The Sea Scout participated in cruises, races, and regattas and in ceremonies for both Sue Island Power Squadron and the Baltimore Yacht Club. Sue Island Power Squadron hosted the D/5 Summer Rendezvous 11 times and also hosted the D/5 Sail Regatta for several years.

Some of our other highlights include our Silver Anniversary Celebration at the Emerson Hotel. We were honored to have Chief Commander Emery Ellis, JN present for this special occasion. Our Golden Anniversary Celebration was held at Baltimore Yacht Club, with P/C/C Raymond A. Finley, SN as our Guest of Honor. Our 50th was a happy yearlong event!!

For years the Squadron has manned annual Boat Show booths. At one time Sue Island held an annual Compass Deviation Day at the Baltimore Yacht Club.

In 1953 the Squadron Roster was begun and continues to be a wonderful resource for all Squadron members.

In 1983 women were invited to become members of USPS. In 1991, Mary L. Rhodes, AP became our first woman commander. In 1992, Alice M. Ringger, AP became the first woman from Sue Island and D/5 to be elected to a National Office. Since then woman have been integral and vital parts of Sue Island. Our Auxiliary, The WASIPS, remains THE BEST. We could not do without them.

We have recently changed our name to SUE ISLAND SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON and look forward to many more years of SAFE BOATING!!

I would like to thank P/R/C Alice M. Ringger, AP and P/C Fredrick W. Ringger, Jr., SN for their work in compiling this synopsis of our history.

- P/C Joseph A. Revak, SN