Sachem's Head, Guilford, Long Island Sound, Connecticut, New England

Speranza

The natural harbour at Sachem's Head was the main reason for its becoming a summer colony.

More and more people built cottages and had boats to be cared for.

Of course, as S. Stevens would say, if you have a boat and I have a boat the question arises: which is the faster?

That is a perfectly natural question, and it was the reason for the forming of the yacht club.

 In the summer of 1896, Aaron Hill, owner of "The Sachem", John Elton Wayland, owner of "The Spind Rift", Edward C. Seward, owner of "The Sweet Heart", and William E. Peck, owner of "The Helena" founded a yacht club of four members -- all officers in the order named:

commodore
vice commodore
fleet captain
secretary and treasurer.

On May 14, 1897, articles of association were adopted and Robert B. Seward elected to membership.

Later, Robert Mitchell, A. H. Wilcox, W. C. Clark (Leetes Island) C. N. Wayland, Henry Bartholomew, Robert Lander and Joseph Pullman were admitted.

Races were started that year from Merriman’s dock -- now Hoffman’s.

Twelve sail boats started in the first race.

The first annual regatta on Labour Day found seventeen boats entered.

The first annual meeting of the club was held at the Pierce Cottage.

Seward was appointed Chair of a committee to secure a club site.

 It is due to Seward's efforts that "Chimney Corner" was acquired for the yacht club.

Many who have bought property at Sachem's Head in years past know that there are old titles reaching back almost to pre-historic times and that boundaries were much more loosely held than now.

Securing title to that rocky island meant following up many families who seemed to have some claim to the rocks.

A corporation was formed under state laws to finance the purchase of the site and building was begun.

The yacht club house was formally opened June 18th 1898.

Capt Oliver Brooks was the first super-intendent.

Membership has increased greatly since the early days but the interest and enthusiasm in regard to racing was never stronger than at that time when from twelve to twenty sail boats flying the yacht club flag used to cruise each summer - carrying the name and fame of the club to all points of importance east and west along the Sound.