ROYAL ST. LAWRENCE YACHT CLUB
OUR HISTORY
INTRODUCTION
When the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club was founded in 1888, the City of Montreal’s population was less than 300,000, the St. Lawrence Seaway that transformed the river was still undreamed of, the Lachine Canal was vital to the city’s industry and transportation, the Wright brothers had not yet invented the airplane, and telephones were relatively new technology. The area in which the Club is located held only farms, villages, and scattered summer homes. In its first year, the Club did not even have its own facilities, and did not have a year-round Clubhouse until 1961. Read on for a snapshot of some eras in the Club’s evolution.
IN THE BEGINNING:
1888 TO 1925
In 1988, a small group of Montreal businessmen gathered at the MAAA to form the St. Lawrence Yacht Club, with a mission to promote boat building and competitive boating on Lake St. Louis. 47 people signed up to be the first members. the Club held its first sailboat race on May 24, 1888, and its first steamboat race the following year.
Two years later, the Club acquired its first parcel of land and, in 1894, with a total of 430 members, received its Royal designation from Queen Victoria.
In 1896, a Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club boat, designed and helmed by G.H. Duggan, won the Seawanhaka Cup in the U.S.A., the first time a non-American had taken the cup, and the first of many international sailing achievements and successful boat designs. The Royal St. Lawrence Sea Scouts were also founded, marking the start of the Club’s educational mission.
CHALLENGES AND
OPTIMISM: 1925 TO 1950
In spite of the Great Depression, the Club invested in its infrastructures, adding a new wing to the Men’s clubhouse and, in 1939, building a storage shed to accommodate the burgeoning interest in dinghy sailing. Also in 1939, the Club joined the North American Yachting Association and Canadian Yachting Association, now Sail Canada. During World War II, the Club’s regular activities declined. More than 189 of its members and staff were in uniform, and fuel rationing affected transportation between the Club and the city. Volunteers took over some of the duties in the yard and dining room. The Ladies’ clubhouse was used as a temporary dormitory for RAF Ferry Command and British Overseas Air Corporation pilots. One of the Club’s piers was assigned to naval operations during the war.
CONTINUED GROWTH:
1950 TO 1985
In the early 1950s, RStLYC sailors competed in the Olympics for the first time. Shortly thereafter, Prince Philip competed in an RStLYC race on Lake St. Louis. Another milestone came when some of the Club’s boats participated in a Sail Past to honour Queen Elizabeth II as she inaugurated the St. Lawrence Seaway together with President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Prince Philip, aboard her yacht, Britannia. The Club undertook major construction projects in the 1960s, building Forbes Pier and the current clubhouse with its award-winning design by Michael Fish, as well as Hynes Pier. Duggan House, named for renowned Club sailor and boat designer George Duggan, was built to provide a home base for our Junior Squadron. In 1967, the Club hosted multiple prestigious international regattas to mark Canada’s Centennial. Continuing the Club’s racing tradition, Janet Bjorn became the first woman to win the Club championship, in 1969. In 1973, the Club purchased a 35-ton travel lift to replace its launch rails, allowing the Club to offer winter storage to larger boats.
100 YEARS AND
BEYOND: 1985 TO 2023
To mark the Club’s 100th anniversary, a Centennial wing was added to the clubhouse in 1987. A souvenir book was published, and 1443 proud members attended many festivities. Adult sailing courses were added to expand the Club’s educational mission and address a burgeoning interest in sailing. A new series, the Friday Fun Race, was introduced in 1998.
The Club continued to upgrade its facilities, adding electric gates and providing WiFi coverage in the harbour. The Club demolished the old green shed to provide more storage space and, in 2009, installed a new masthead ladder on the service pier. In 2016, members elected the first Lady Commodore in the Club’s history. In 2021, the Club launched a major harbour refurbishing project, which included extending Hynes Pier, and rolled out a 10-year capital fundraising campaign. In 2023, thanks to the foresight and efforts of its members over its long history, the Club continues to pursue its mission, to promote a love of sailing and boating.
OUR
TROPHIES
The Royal has a large collection of storied trophies, beginning with the Hamilton in 1894, and the famous Strathcona Cup, donated by Lord Strathcona. Explore the awards sailors have competed for over the years.
