Article contentRICH HISTORYArticle content This photo taken in 1940s shows snipe boats racing in the harbour at the Northern Yacht Club’s original location next to Indian Beach at the site of what later became Rollie’s Wharf restaurant and lounge. Contributed/Northern Yacht ClubArticle contentAstephen said the club has gone through several changes over the past 100 years.Article contentOriginally, the clubhouse was located next to Indian Beach at the site of what later became Rollie’s Wharf restaurant and lounge.Article contentIn 1948, they decided to move because the dust from the coal piers at the neighbouring government wharf was soiling the white sails of their boats and to avoid the increasing amount of ferry traffic.Article content This 1948 photo shows Northern Yacht Club members the year the club moved from its original location next to Indian Beach at the site of what later became Rollie’s Wharf restaurant and lounge. In front, from left, are Walter MacKinley, Clayton White, Sid Forsey, Fred MacLeod, Stew Sutherland, Owen Bryden and Ben Gallop. Middle, from left, are Elbern Cann, Gauden Dutou, Hugh (Ike) MacDonald, Harry Gallop, Stephen Astephen, Frank MacInnis, Rory Bryden and Joe Astephen. Back, from left, are Don MacNeil, Doug Fraser, two unknown people, Lloyd Dolomont, Abe Astephen and Paul Andrea. Contributed/Northern Yacht ClubArticle contentThe club briefly relocated to the bottom of Peppett Street before acquiring the land for its current location on Seaview Drive next to Munro Park from Devco and club members fashioned the initial wharves from massive 60-foot logs Devco had used to hold dredges in place.Article content The current location of the Northern Yacht Club as it looked in the early 1950s. Munro Park is seen in the background. Contributed/Northern Yacht ClubArticle contentIn the early days, the club hosted friendly meets with sailors from the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club as well as the Bras d’Or Yacht Club in Baddeck but in the late 1970s began hosting international sailing regattas, including the Western Hemisphere Snipe championships in 1976, the World Snipe Championships in 1979 and the World Junior Snipe Championships in 1982 and the Canadian 23 and Under Championships in 2001.Article contentArticle contentAfter a fire destroyed the club on April 14, 2004, they built the current two-storey clubhouse, which features modern amenities and a second-level viewing deck overlooking the harbour.Article contentSince rebuilding, the club has hosted a number of Sail Nova Scotia events and developed a junior sailing program in a standalone building complete with washrooms, showers, laundry facilities, storage area and boat pen, a conference room and a race viewing centre.Article contentAstephen said although membership declined during the COVID-19 pandemic they now average about 150 members each sailing season. The marina has berths for 60 boats and can accommodate vessels up to 200 feet and has a travel lift to move boats in and out of the water.Article contentFor a full list of the centennial celebration events, visit the Northern Yacht Club Facebook page.Article content After acquiring the land for its current location on Seaview Drive from Devco, Northern Yacht Club fashioned wharves from massive 60-foot logs that were previously used to hold dredges in place. Contributed/Northern Yacht ClubArticle content
Sail of the century: Northern Yacht Club celebrating centennial
