One Hundreth Anniversary Commemorative Letter 1954-09-18
The Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia comprising of the following Rowing Clubs Bachelors Barge Club Undine Barge Club Pennsylvania Barge Club Fairmount Rowing Association La Salle Rowing Association University Barge Club Malta Boat Club Vesper Boat Club College Boat Club Penn A. C. Rowing Association does hereby take official note and offer sincere congratulations to its oldest member University Barge Club Organized April 25, 1854 Founding Member Schuylkill Navy - - - - October 5, 1858. upon the happy occassion of its One Hundreth Anniversary This sole extant club of the original eight founders of the Schuylkill Navy has become the second member club to celebrate its glorious centenary. The very fact that its existence has spanned a full century proves the soundness of the principles upon which it was organized and has been since conducted. Many such clubs succumb to adversity; one lives to remind us that men of purpose can rise above the disunifying forces of time. The Schuylkill Navy desires to pay desered honor to University Barge Club for its many activities and accomplishments over a long career, some of which are worthy of specific note. Racing Participation University men started racing with the first Schuylkill Navy Regatta in 1859, and won their first race, in Six-Oared Barges, in 1860, Some notable victories are: 1905 - National Regatta, Intermediate Singles - Walter Stokes; 1910-11 - Schuylkill Navy Regatta, Senior Singles - Edward F. Hoffman, Jr.; 1914-16 - All Regattas, including 1914 Nationals, Senior Fours - Richard T. Nalle, Harold Willcox, Russel Thayer, Jr. - 1930 Canadian Regatta, Senior Doubles - Clement B. Newbold, Jr., Winthrop Rutherford; - Edward F. Hoffman, Jr; Rowing Longevity Their older members have been foremost among veteran scullers in rowing to advanced age and logging high annual mileage. Several holders of their club's record mileage have been: 1928 - J. Hamilton Cheston - 1623 miles; 1938 - Charles R. Nalle - - 1705 miles; 1946 - J. Elliott Newlin - - 2059 miles. Commodores of the Navy Samuel W. Groome - January, 1861 to January, 1867; Henry B. Voxe - February, 1871 to July, 1873; Edward S. Miles - January, 1883 to January, 1886; William Innes Forbes - January, 1900 to April, 1905; Jesse Williamson, Jr. - January, 1908 to January 1910; Charles R. Nalle - January, 1942 to January, 1945. J. Elliott Newlin - January, 1917 to January, 1920. University Barge Club has, perhaps more than any other club, exemplified that unique form of social activity which consisted of long rows on the river, barge parties, and other amusements directly connected with the water. Not so deeply imbued with the racing spirit as it were, the men of University learned to enjoy the river for its intrinsic beauty and tranquility. By their most faithful adherence to the pleasant and colorful practices of the oarsmen of past generations and by their emphasis on the old-fashioned ideals of sportsmanship and fair play, the men of University have eminently suceeded in maintaininga positive, living contact with the past History of Rowing September, 18, 1954.
