History of FYC & More
Scroll down to learn more about:
- The History of Fanshawe Yacht Club
- The Creation of Fanshawe Lake
- List of Past Commodores
- List of Member(s) of the Year
- Link to past Dockside Scuttlebutt Newsletters
History of Fanshawe Yacht Club - Founded in 1953
In December 1952, the Fanshawe Dam was completed to control the flooding of the Thames River, thus creating Fanshawe Lake – the home of our club. Learn more about the origins of FYC in the articles below.
Article by FYC Co-Founder Jack McClatchie
Original FYC Burgee designed by Jack McClatchie, one of the founders of the Club.
By the end of April 1953, following the completion of the Fanshawe Dam in December 1952, Fanshawe Lake was a reality, and ready to use. On part of the west shore, there was a strip of sandy beach with a dock and a picnic park. This is where it all began.
The first boat to sail on the new lake was an 18′ sailing canoe, sailed right off the beach in April 1953 by Jack McClatchie (Pictured above left). A few days later, Eric Skelton, a city engineer, put down the first permanent mooring for his dinghy “Polly Wog”. By the end of June, many more boats had joined the fleet on moorings.
During the summer, rather informal races were held on most weekends. By August, the fleet had grown to 18 boats with a friendly gang of skippers wondering how they could keep in touch through winter and make plans for the next summer’s sailing. At this point, Jack invited the group to meet at his home, and talk about forming a club to represent them before the Conservation Authority.
A committee was appointed to explore all the shores of the lake. With the approval of the Upper Thames Conservation Authority, the committee chose the location which the Club now occupies.
Everyone enjoyed a summer of good sailing in 1953, but the club was so loosely organized that it existed in a hand-to-mouth fashion. No firm plan was in place to ensure the succession, or the relief, of the elected members burdened with the management of the club. The club was growing, but so was the reluctance of many members to accept a nomination for office.
On Wednesday August 19, 1953, a well-attended business meeting was held. At this meeting, a more structured organization was formed, with the name of “Fanshawe Yacht Club” (FYC), and a formal staff of Flag Officers to be elected each year for a one-year term of office. A secretary, treasurer and a social convener were also elected that year and each year that followed.
And the rest, as they say, is history…
Additional History of Fanshawe Yacht Club - The Creation of Fanshawe Lake
Information Exerpted from “Fanshawe Yacht Club 60 Years, August 19, 1953 to August 19, 2013” by Nina Myers
FYC owes its existence to flooding and to the vision of a far-sighted group of keen sailors. In 1937, the City of London suffered major flooding. At the Forks of the Thames, in the vicinity of Dundas Street (now named Riverside Drive) and Wharncliffe Road, the water depth was eight feet above the pavement. There was massive property damage and one life was lost.
Following the flood, the City undertook preventive measures. Dikes were constructed in the vicinity of the Forks and along sections of the North and South Branches of the river. 1n 1947, there was threat of another major flood. The waters rose almost to the top of the dikes and overflowed the banks in other locations. Farmers and city dwellers demanded action. Later in 1947, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) was formed.
The Authority swung into action to put flood control measures in place. Design of a dam for the North Branch of the Thames was undertaken. The site selected was a short distance east of Clarke Road. The Lake which formed behind the dam is approximately 3 miles long and almost half a mile wide. Fanshawe Dam was completed in December 1952.
See more about the formation of Fanshawe Yacht Club in the article by Co-Founder Jack McClatchie above.
Our Commodores
Recognizing Their Leadership and Volunteerism
*Original FYC Burgee above designed by our 1st Commodore, Jack McClatchie
Front Row (sitting): George Layton 1960, Rex Paget 1988, Steve Dietrich 1985
Middle Row (kneeling): Barry Sarazin 1994, Don Dynes 1967, Len Macdougall 1982, Brian Perry 1989, Larry Minshall 1981, Scott Town 1992, John Ballast 1991
Back Row (standing): Don Dool 1972, Doug MacKenzie 1995, Cliff Wingrove 1959, Dave Schurman 1958, Jack McClatchie 1956 & 1957, Andy Kertesz 1976, Alex Crowley 1987, Dan Husson 1984, John Burgess 1990, John Rae 1979, Hans Schaffner 1978, Phil Luno 1973, Floyd James 1980, Jens Biskaborn 1993, John Houston 1964
Member of the Year Award
Fanshawe Yacht Club’s Member of the Year Award honors the outstanding volunteer contributions made by its members in developing the club and the sailing school, and promoting the sport of sailing.
This prestigious annual award recognizes the overwhelming time and effort given by the recipients over multiple seasons, not solely in a single year.
Nominees are submitted and voted on at the end of each sailing season. The recipient is presented with the award at the Commodore’s Reception in the following year.
The Final Dockside Scuttlebutt Newsletter by Sue Goldt
November 4, 2021
Click Here to open the Final Edition of the FYC Dockside Scuttlebutt Newsletter by our intrepid editor Suzanne Goldt. Sue is laying down her pen after many years of documenting the news and changes at FYC. Thanks so much Sue for all you have compiled in the Scuttlebutt over the years!!
Stay tuned for more tall tales and yarns to be posted on our Dockside Scuttlebutt Blog on this website.
*If you would like to have a read through earlier editions of the Dockside Scuttlebutt, please click the Red Button below!