Founder’s DayFounder’s Day

Potomac River Power Squadron10 March 2012Potomac River Power Squadron10 March 2012

A Squadron on the RiverA Squadron on the River

1914: Dr. Adolphus B. Bennett, Jr., Fleet Captain of the Corinthian Yacht Club, Washington DC, learns of the Power Squadron movement, an effort led by Roger Upton of Boston to support the boating and navigation skills of motor boat owners.

Dr. Bennett asks to take the examination to join the movement. He is advised instead to recruit at least 10 interested persons who might sit for the examination and become the nucleus for the movement in Washington, D.C

Members of Bennett’s Corinthian Yacht Club support the idea. Members of the Capital Yacht Club resist out of concern that such a movement could lead to government regulations requiring all yachtsmen to be certified in navigation and safety. However, They eventually agree to the movement.

A Squadron Is bornA Squadron Is born

Members of the United States Power Squadrons Committee on Instruction and Examination visit Washington in May 1915 to examine potential members. Twenty-two men sat for the oral exam. Nineteen passed and a great squadron was born. 

F Street, NW, Washington, DC, 1915

The Governing Board chartered Potomac River as Squadron No. 14 under General Order 12 on May 25, 1915.

October 17, 1915, Cdr. Bennett led a flotilla of nine Potomac River Squadron vessels in drills and maneuvers “at the forks of the Georgetown Channel and Washington Channel” near the War College.

Today, DC area civilians simply call the War College “Ft. McNair.”

WARDuring the Great War, Power Squadron members and other yachtsmen were offered commissions in the U.S. Navy Reserve Forces (USNRF) to use their boats for Volunteer Torpedo Patrol duty to guard against the U-boat menace.

vs.

Boating is fun. We’ll show you how.

After the war, returning service men wanted little to do with boats and drills. Power Squadron membership fell. In 1919, the chief commander recommended all operations cease.

That’s when A.B. Bennett went to work.

Dr. Bennett’s Lasting Influence

V/C Bennett’s Strategic Plan, 1919:

Repeal the requirement that members must first be members of yacht clubs.

Cease drilling as the Power Squadrons only activity.

Make United States Power Squadrons the primary member relationship for individuals

Make education the primary purpose of the Power Squadrons.

Bennett was elected Chief Commander in 1920 and served four terms in office (1920 – 1924). Potomac River member J. Edwin Lawton succeeded Bennett as Chief Commander.

Bennett and Lawton were the only two men to serve as Chief Commander and Squadron Commander simultaneously.

Original list of Potomac River Squadron Boat names and Owners

Vessel Owner Vessel Owner Vessel Owner

Aragon A.B. Bennett Nokomis Dr. John R. Sharp Spunky Harrington BarkerNevil Monroe Hopkins

Oolootsa Wm. J. Bacon Nemara James T. Breshnaham

Sunbeam II Robert B. Roosevelt

Sewanee A.C. ClephaneL.P. Clephane

Helen D. Evarton B. Powell Elizabeth Emil C. Kaiser

Owen Col. W. O. OwenJ.S. Randall

Juel W.J. Ingram Catawba Roscoe H. Shaw

Sabot W.D. GrosbeckCharles F. Haden

Emeline C.W. Sherrier Elsie Ede C. MerrillHarvey H. Haun

Norma II Herbert Bose Edna E.O. ReedE. M. Eastwood

Florence R. John H. AueJohn G. Rizzo

A. B. C. Dr. R. S. Clinton Ecola Frank N. MooreF.E. Symanoskie

Bill William M. Wagner

Ke pa goin Charles H. Kerper

Dr. Bennett was the face of Potomac River for over 50 years…

The Washington Evening Star took note in 1964.

…as Potomac River Squadron thrived.

In June 1968, P/C/C Bennett crossed the bar.

Past Chief Commanders of United States Power Squadrons from Potomac River Squadron

Theodore I Coe, JN, 1916-1917 A.B. Bennett, JN, 1920-1923 J. Edwin Lawton, JN, 1929 Arthur Middleton, N, 1938-1940

What do the letters mean?

The Power Squadrons offers a series of courses above basic boating safety for the recreational captain. Power Squadrons members who complete an Advanced Grade course, they are entitled to use the suffix for that Grade after their name and an insignia on their uniform. The grades are:

• Seaman, S

• Pilot, P

• Advanced Pilot, AP

• Junior Navigation, JN

• Navigation, N

A senior navigator (SN) is a member who has completed all Advanced Grade and elective courses.

Potomac River – Father of Squadrons

List of squadrons formed from Potomac River Squadron:

Annapolis, 1941

Patuxent River, 1953

Northern Virginia, 1967

Prince Georges, 1970 - 2002

Rockville, 1972

Mid-Potomac, 2000

In 1968, Potomac River claimed the honor the largest membership of all the Power Squadrons.

At mid-century, society redefined the notion of “who belonged.”

United States Power Squadrons dropped the word “men” from membership requirements in 1982.

Edna Winterhak was the first woman elected squadron commander in 1985.

Ted Hagins was the first African-American admitted to squadron membership.

Bonnie Gaskins was the first African American elected squadron commander in 2003.

Howard Gasaway, Sr. is the first person to serve three terms as squadron commander since 1929.

Potomac River is the oldest Power Squadron in continuous existence.

Our Centennial Year:

May 25, 2014 – May 24, 2015

We will be here… and we will be looking for you.

To be continued….

This presentation prepared by P/C Anthony Brown, P, Potomac River Squadron

With grateful acknowledgement to P/C Harry Seeback, SN, and P/C Tom Dillon, AP, as long time custodians of squadron records and oral tradition.

Newspaper images used with permission.

®The USPS Ensign (Flag Design), "Wheel-and-Flag Design", "Officer Trident Design","United States Power Squadrons", "USPS", "The Ensign", "the Squadron" with flag graphic, "Paddle Smart", "USPS University", "Boat Smart", "Jet Smart", and "America's Boating Club" are registered trademarks of United States Power Squadrons.