Bringing Sailing to Life

The West End Sailboat Club emerged from a group of Somerset men who enjoyed sailing and boat building. It is believed that one of the first Comets was owned by Elliott ‘Nick’ Swan in 1937. However it was not until about 1940 that craftsmen like Elfie Cann, Edward ‘Jack’ Cross, Sinclair ‘Slim’ Lambert, Leon ‘Bully’ Lambert, Canute ‘Tutor’ Lambert, Ainsby Perinchief, Arnold ‘Midnight’ Knights and Lumley Burt built or secured their own boats. History tells us that Albert ‘Nervy’ Symonds, Elfie Cann, and ‘Jack’ Cross called on Ossie Philpott to enlist his support in forming a boat club. It was there in Mr. Philpott’s carpenter’s shop where meetings were held that the West End Sailboat Club came unto being with Mr. O. H. Philpott as its first Commodore in 1941.

Regular series of Comet races were held in the Great Sound and in 1945 the idea of a long distance race to St. Georges was introduced. On the day of the first Long Distance Race, twelve boats set out in a 40 knot breeze. Only four finished, with the first place honors going to Canute ‘Tutor’ Lambert sailing “Sea Hawk”. He covered the course in 1 hour and 13 minutes, establishing a record which still stands today. The Long Distance Race has become not only a major event to the local Comet sailors, but one of which is followed by thousands of supporters all across Bermuda.

The West End Sailboat Club has experienced many changes over the years since its humble beginnings at Ossie Philpott’s Carpenter Shop. Meetings were later held at the Somerset Cricket Club and at the home of the late Mr. John Davis who was Commodore from 1957-1959 and again in 1966-1971.

After operating for over 27 years, the club finally found its present home. When they acquired the building it was nothing more than a tiny cottage on the edge of the Great Sound, however over time, the membership has developed the property into a respected sailing club boasting one of the most picturesque settings anywhere.

It is believed that during the visit to Bermuda of a couple of Comet Sailors from United States, and during their boat trip across the Great Sound, they saw our comet fleet sailing, and from their inquires assisted us in becoming members of CCYRA. (Comet Class Yacht Racing Association). We are pleased to say that Albert ‘Nervy’ Symonds was named as an Honorary Member in 1972.

Other Committees

Vivian “Bootsie” Simons
Emily DeShields
Linda Lightbourne
John Bremar

The Mid-Atlantic Boat & Sports Club was founded in 1946. In the early stages, the club consisted of a one room club house and ten wooden boats that were mostly built by the sailors themselves in their backyards.

Some of the founding members consisted of the Late ‘Drake’ Laws, Elsworth Lovell, Lawrence Hendrickson Sr. and Edward ‘Gates’ Smith. Gates Smith who is now in his seventies, still occasionally gets onto the race course making him one of the oldest active members in the class.

On August 11th 1963, Mid-Atlantic experienced a strange twist of fate. A day which began as a warm Sunday morning quickly deteriorated with gusts increasing to reach over 100 M.P.H as Hurricane Arlene swept throughout the island. By the time Arlene had completed her visit, among the aftermath of her devastation was the total demolition of the Mid-Atlantic club house and all ten Comets. It wasn’t until a number of years later that the boats and the club could be rebuilt and today we are known to you as Fleet #161, Territory 9. We consider ourselves to be a young fleet and what we lack in experience, we make up for in ambition. It is our contention that this positive attitude combined with a promising junior programme will soon make us a force to be reckoned with.

On behalf of the Commodore and Vice Commodore, I would like to welcome all of the visitors to Bermuda. We hope everyone will sail hard, fast and safely; but look out for the sailors of M.A.B.S.C., we’ll be coming on strong!

Story sourced from: https://www.bermudacometclass.com/clubs/mid-atlantic-boat-club/

The EEMYC as it is commonly known, was formed by a group of adventurous individuals from the Eastern end of the island. With backgrounds of mini-yachts carved from cedar logs with lead keels and cloth sails as their guides, these men set out to establish a club house for the Comet Class sailboat which was already wide spread across the island.

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. Membership grew over the years with interest from area residents and nearby St. Davids creating a family and community club any community would be proud of. Sailing received a much needed boost by the introduction of the single handed dinghy the Phantom in the early 80’s; along with darts and golf providing an option for those non-mariners of the club. Although the Club’s location has remained the same over our first 2 years, structural changes has provided both members and non-members with a most attractive facility on the Harbour of St. Georges.

We at the East End Mini Yacht Club would like to welcome all visiting yachtsmen to Bermuda and to wish all participants of the “1992 Comet Internationals” the best of Luck.