Long History of Community Rowing in Pelham
Among the first structures built on Travers Island by the New York Athletic Club when it opened its summer home in Pelham Manor in 1888 was a series of boat houses used to store, among other things, rowing shells used for training, racing, and recreation. Ever since, rowers have been seen at nearly all times in the waters off Pelham shores.
"Boat Houses, Travers Island."
Club" [Program], Jun. 13, 1891 (NY, NY: New York
Athletic Club, 1891). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.
As I have written before, the lovely Orchard Beach Lagoon formed from the remnants of Le Roy Bay off the shores of Pelham were improved and used as the site of the 1964 Olympics Rowing Trials. See Tue., Apr. 19, 2016: The 1964 Olympic Rowing Trials Off the Shores of Pelham in The Orchard Beach Lagoon.
Few are aware, however, that the Orchard Beach Lagoon was used as a competitive rowing course for many years before the 1964 Olympics Rowing Trials. Today's Historic Pelham article will document these circumstances.
During the 1930s, noted North Pelham resident Theodore J. Van Twisk of River Avenue began pressing to convert a portion of the Orchard Beach Lagoon into a one-mile rowing course. Van Twisk was widely known as an avid oarsman who eventually served as executive of the New York Rowing Association, a member of the Rowing Association, and a member of the Rowing Committee of the United States Olympic Games Committee. He also served for a number of years as Captain of the New York Athletic Club, then the fifth ranking officer in the organization.
Theodore J. Van Twisk's efforts did not bear fruit for a number of years. After the construction of Orchard Beach and the Orchard Beach parking lot, the bay that once separated Hunter's Island from the mainland looked more like a quiet, beautiful, still-water lake than a bay. Only the northeastern end of what once was known as Le Roy Bay remained an outlet to the Long Island Sound. The resultant "lagoon" (not a true lagoon) was viewed as a perfect site for a competitive rowing course.
There was a problem, however. Even as late as 1940 there were remnants of a wooden bridge that once connected Hunter's Island to the mainland in the lagoon. The remnants cut across the Orchard Beach Lagoon. Until these bridge remnants could be removed, any such rowing course would have to be developed on one side of the bridge or the other and, depending on the side chosen, could only be as long as one mile rather than the preferred 2000 meter or 1-1/4 mile length necessary for Olympic tryouts, National rowing races, and Intercollegiate races. Additionally, there was a need to dredge the lagoon which had begun to grow shallow due to the buildup of silt.
These issues did not stop Theodore J. Van Twisk and his colleagues. In an effort to show the viability of the Orchard Beach Lagoon as a rowing race course, they arranged for the New York Rowing Association, composed of sixteen colleges, athletic clubs, and rowing clubs, to hold a high-visibility regatta in the lagoon on August 18, 1940. The course ran from the remnants of the old Hunter's Island wooden bridge toward the southwest end of the Orchard Beach Lagoon at the shore adjacent to City Island Road -- a distance of one mile.
Fifty-five crews entered in nineteen events in the regatta. The events began at 10:00 a.m. and continued until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, 1940. Several hundred spectators lined the shores of the Orchard Beach Lagoon. According to one account, although "Nearby Long Island Sound waters have been used for practice by oarsmen for many years . . . this was the first time that competition had been conducted under the rules of an organized rowing association."
Two entries had scratched before the competition began, so 53 entries from eight clubs of the rowing association competed. When the nineteen events ended, the Nereid Boat Club took first place in points. The Nassau Boat Club finished second. The New Rochelle Rowing Club finished third.
The sport of rowing was continuing to grow in popularity. It would not be until 1964, however, until a regulation Olympic Trial course could be laid out after the remnants of the wooden Hunter's Island bridge were removed and the lagoon was dredged.
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"IN THEIR FINE NEW BOAT-HOUSE.
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THE HANDSOME ISLAND HOME OF THE NEW-YORK ATHLETIC CLUB.
The members of the New-York Athletic Club have just taken possession of their handsome new boat-house, at Travers Island. Having sold all the buildings they formerly occupied at One-hundred-and-fiftieth-st. to the Young Men's Christian Association, they purchased thirty acres at Travers Island and during the last few months have been beautifying these new grounds. The situation is an admirable one; is easy of access, and yet sufficiently isolated to insure privacy. The island is connected with Glen Island by ferry-boats; and yesterday to a Tribune reporter approaching the boat-house from that direction a gala appearance was presented. Hundreds of the club members were bathing, boating or sitting on the broad verandas which surround the building.
The boat-house is probably the largest in the country, and is certainly one of the most complete. On the first floor are the boats, which include everything in that line from a single shell to a seven oared barge. The members expect in a short time to have a full complement of sailing vessels; and one man intends to add a small schooner to the collection. On the second floor are bath-rooms and long rows of lockers, each provided with a combination lock. On this floor also is a large veranda, from which can be obtained a splendid view of all the neighboring islands. A little to the left of the boat-house is the cafe, which was formerly a cottage, and which in its present use is only a temporary arrangement. About four hundred feet northeast of this a large club building with a frontage of seventy-five feet will be erected in a short time. The dining-room will occupy the whole of the first floor; and, in the upper floors there will be about fifty rooms for those who desire to live on the island.
The building will cost about $40,000, including the furnishing expenses. There are a number of smaller buildings, and of all them and a small stable in the rear are painted a dark red; and, surrounded by beautiful groves, and lawns on which are a number of tennis courts, they present a beautiful appearance. About ten acres of the property of the club is marsh-land, which it is their intention to fill up and raise to the level of the surrounding grounds. Between the cafe and the site of the proposed new club-building is a fifth of a mile cinder track. The governing board of the club at present consists of twenty-one directors, who have the power to appoint all sub-committees."
Source: In Their Fine New Boat-House, New-York Tribune, Aug. 12, 1888, p. 16, col. 2.
"Oarsmen Plan Own Regatta
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Pelham Bay Lake To Be Used As Course
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After many years of patient waiting, what bids fair to develop into the finest and most picturesque rowing course in the country will be given a trial by New York's oarsmen. On Sunday, Aug. 18, starting at noon, the New York Rowing Association, composed of 16 colleges, athletic and rowing clubs, will hold a regatta on that beautiful stretch of lake like water between the Shore Road in Pelham Bay Park, by the golf links, and the driveway and parking space which backs up Orchard Beach. Here lies a mile course, starting from the City Island Road to the old Hunter's Island Bridge, which is second to none. All that needs to be done to make the course adaptable for holding Olympic tryout, National and Intercollegiate races is some dredging and the removal of what still remains of the old wooden bridge, which formerly connected what was Hunter's Island to the mainland.
This would permit the free passage of the shells to the 2000-meter or 1 1/4 - mile marks, still within the city limits. The entire stretch is admirably protected and with the only outlet east of Hunter's Island, it gives every appearance of a park lake which, in reality, is just what it is."
Source: Oarsmen Plan Own Regatta -- Pelham Bay Lake To Be Used As Course, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 1, 1940, p. Sports 14, col. 7.
"Rowing Association To Stage Regatta On New Pelham Bay Course Aug. 18
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Orchard Beach Improvement Has Made Possible One Mile Rowing Course Between Hunter's Island and Mainland.
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The dream of many local rowing enthusiasts will be realized with the first regatta on the new Pelham Bay Park lagoon on Sunday afternoon, August 18. Several years ago in The Pelham Sun, Theodore J. Van Twisk of North Pelham, executive of national oarsman's organization, urged the institution of a rowing and canoe course in the vicinity of Hunter's Island, in Long Island Sound. The Orchard Beach improvement of the New York City Department has made possible what Mr. Van Twisk recommended.
On Sunday, Aug. 18, starting at noon, the New York Rowing Association, composed of 16 colleges, athletic and rowing clubs, will hold the first regatta on the lagoon paralleling the shore road between the mainland and Orchard beach, extending one mile from the City Island road to the old Hunter's Island bridge.
All that needs to be done to make the course adaptable for holding Olympic Tryout, National and Intercollegiate races is some dredging and the removal of what remains of the old wooden bridge which formerly connected Hunter's Island with the mainland.
This would permit free passage of the shells to the 2000 meter of 1 1/2 mile marks. The entire stretch is admirably protected and with the only outlet east of Hunter's Island, it gives the appearance of a lake. The location is convenient to the Travers Island rowing house of the New York Athletic Club. Not very far away is the New Rochelle Rowing Club. Oarsmen of both these groups now use the unprotected waters of Long Island Sound for their training."
Source: Rowing Association To Stage Regatta On New Pelham Bay Course Aug. 18 --
Orchard Beach Improvement Has Made Possible One Mile Rowing Course Between Hunter's Island and Mainland, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 2, 1940, p. 9, cols. 7-8.
"Oarsmen Stage Regatta Aug. 18
NEW YORK -- What appears to be one of the finest rowing courses in the country will be given a trial August 18 when the New York Rowing association, composed of 16 colleges, athletic and rowing clubs, will hold a regatta on a stretch of lake like water between the Shore road in Pelham Bay park and the driveway and parking space which backs up Orchard Beach.
Here lies a mile course, starting from the City Island road to the old Hunters Island Bridge which is second to none."
Source: Oarsmen Stage Regatta Aug. 18, Times Union [Albany, NY], Aug. 9, 1940, p. 14, col. 3.
"55 CREWS ENTER ROWING EVENTS
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First Regatta Will be Staged on Sunday at New Pelham Bay Park Rowing Course.
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With an entry of 55 crews in 19 events, the first regatta will be staged in the new Pelham Bay Park rowing course on Sunday. Among the clubs interested in the program are the New York Athletic Club and outstanding oarsmen's groups. The establishment of the rowing course comes as the result of agitation for such sports facilities by Theodore J. Van Twisk of North Pelham, who is Captain of the New York Athletic Club, and a past president of the New York Rowing Association.
A series of one mile races will be held on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 3 p.m. The races will start at the old Hunter Island bridge and finish near Orchard Beach."
Source: 55 CREWS ENTER ROWING EVENTS -- First Regatta Will be Staged on Sunday at New Pelham Bay Park Rowing Course, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 16, 1940, p. 7, col. 6.
"REGATTA DRAWS MANY SPORTSMEN
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First Events on New Rowing Course in Pelham Bay Park Prove Popular With Rowing Enthusiasts
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Several hundred sports enthusiasts enjoyed a program new to this vicinity on Sunday in the first Summer regatta of the New York Rowing Association held on the new Pelham Bay Park course between Orchard Beach and the mainland. Nearby Long Island Sound waters have been used for practice by oarsmen for many years, but this was the first time that competition had been conducted under rules of an organized rowing association. Many spectators lined the shores of the rowing course extending from the old Hunter Island bridge to the City Island road.
The regatta was the result of long agitation for a rowing course in this vicinity, by prominent oarsmen, including Theodore J. Van Twisk, of North Pelham, who is a past president of the New York Rowing Association.
Eight clubs of the rowing association were represented in the 53 entries in competition. The Nereid Boat Club topped the group in point scoring. The Nassau Boat Club was second and the New Rochelle Rowing Club third."
Source: REGATTA DRAWS MANY SPORTSMEN -- First Events on New Rowing Course in Pelham Bay Park Prove Popular With Rowing Enthusiasts, The Pelham Sun, Aug. 23, 1940, p. 7, col. 3.
"Silvia Scores In Shell Race
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Joe Angyal Triumphs in Single Man Event
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New York Rowing Association officials who looked with some trepidation on the selection of the Orchard Beach lagoon in Pelham Bay Park as the site for their annual regatta packed up their equipment today firmly convinced that they will be back again next year.
The 15-event program, highlighted by Joe Angyal's triumph in the single shell event, was hailed as a brilliant success. Angyal, who conquered Joe Burke in 1938, won by three boat lengths over his closest competitor in the three-quarters of a mile race.
The New York Athletic Club senior double shell combination of Frank Silvia, who lives in the Bronx and works in Mount Vernon, and Ed Simpson defeated Angyal and his clubmate, Joe Nicastri, by a close margin in the final event of the program. The Nereid Boat Club won the team title, finishing with 38 points."
Source: Silvia Scores In Shell Race -- Joe Angyal Triumphs in Single Man Event, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Aug. 19, 1940, p. Sports 10, col. 1.
Labels: 1888, 1940, 1964 Olympic Rowing Trials, New York Athletic Club, New York Rowing Association, NYAC, Olympic Rowing Trials, Recreation, Rowing, Sport, Sports, Theodore J. Van Twisk
posted by Blake A. Bell @ 4:45 AM
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