History of Model Boating on Conservatory Water

1900-1929

The official founding of Central Park Model Yacht Club took place on Dezember 17th, 1916, when the model boat enthusiasts met at their "headquarter", a small, wooden boathouse located near Consevatory Waters in Central Park. and determined that a more structured club should be formed. Officers were elected, including Commodore John O. Berg, and the club was determined to encourage those interested in designing, building and sailing model yachts.

The newly formed club soon became a center of Americas model yachting scene, with members competing against each other as well as in international championships. In 1922 the Yacht-Magazine offered a cup for an International Model Cup Race between the US and Great Britain, to be sailed in the newly defined B-Class. In May the US elimination race was sailed off Long Island, to determine the defender, and two out of ten sailors represented CPMYC (J.A. Weaver with Fantasy, and J.A. Berg with Owisquot). However, the elimination race was won by a neighbour: E.A. Bull for Prospect Park Model Yacht Club with Polka Dot, who also succeeded in the following race against the challenger from Grat Britain, Mr. W.J. Daniels with Endeavour (picture right, Source: Yacht, July 1922).

In April 1923 CPMYC accepted a Challenge from Montrea Model Yacht Club. J.A.Weaver Jr. was selected to represent CPMYC in Montreal with his yacht Slipper.

YACHTS IN TITLE RACE.; Central Park Model Club Accepts Challenge From Montreal.

(The New York Times, Apr 21, 1923, p8)

 

THE SLIPPER WINS AGAIN.; Takes Second of Series for Model Yachts at Montreal.

MONTREAL, Aug. 13. -- The Slipper, representing the Central Park Model Yacht Club of New York, and skippered by J.A. Weaver Jr., won the second race of a series for the model yacht championship of America at Chambly Basin near here this afternoon.

(The New York Times, Aug ust 14, 1923, p12)

In 1925 J.A. Weaver won the first A-Class USA National Championshio for CPMYC, with his boat "Slipper" (he won the championship again in 1928 with the same boat).

In these days model yachting was only free-sailing, without any form of controls. The sailboat were set out and retrieved wherever they came to shore. Later a mechanical device, the wind vane, was developed. This device used a series of gears linked to the rudder and was driven by the wind.

As today the little boats attracted old and young.

YOUNG NIXON WINS YACHTING HONORS; 7-Year-Old Grandson of the Shipbuilder Takes a Medal in Park Regatta. BOAT NAMED FOR MAYOR Jesse L. Livermore Jr. Gets a Cup -- 200 Boys and Girls Take Part in the Contest.

Lewis Nixon 3d, seven-year-old grandson of Lewis Nixon, shipbuilder, was a prize winner at the model yacht regatta yesterday afternoon at Conservatory Lake, Central Park. He won third prize in the 35-inch boat class, a gold and bronze medal, and also a model yacht.

(The New York Times, May 23, 1926, pg. 16)

 

CENTRAL PARK CLUB WINS.; Places First in Eagle Cup Model Yacht Races at Bayside.

(The New York Times, Sept 19, 1927, p23)

 

Central Park Club Is First In Series for Model Yachts

(The New York Times, Sept 17, 1928, p. 27)

John gave me some old Dias, which he has received from Central Park Conservancy. I have scanned them for you:

one of the following pictures was labeld as "Seven Seas"

and this remote controlled boat was named "Old Ironside"

and the "America":