There is, perhaps, no parallel in the history of yacht clubs where one has the dubious distinction of being named after a hairnet. This curious fact alone can account for the Club's later reincorporation with a more appropriate name. The story of the embryo days has a color that the adult era has never been able to emulate, and that story goes somewhat this way according to local survivors and charter members.

Where the Oberg Funeral Home is now located at the corner of Hylan Boulevard and Great Kills Road there lived a very wealthy man named Henry Salomons. Mr. Salomons had established his vast fortune on a chain of beauty parlors as well as in the manufacturing of beauty aids, principally the hairnet. This gossamer gadget of the early twentieth century was the invention of a French woman whom Mr. Salomons discovered in Paris. He brought her over to this country, and with his money financed and promoted her invention. Her name was Yvette.

n the early 20's Mr. Salomons was approached by a group of local racing sailors, headed by the late Daniel P. Higgins, a prominent architect and member of the Board of Education, to support and finance the organization of a yacht club. Brothers Nick and Al Williams, later of Star racing fame, the Hassel brothers, Thomas Williams, Raymond Newberry, Raymond Coddington, Robert Dowd and Waiter Hall completed the group of Founding fathers; some of whom served as Flag Officers, notably Dan Higgins and Nick and Al Williams. The first club house was originally a large two storied houseboat with what would be called today in current parlance a walk around deck. The houseboat had been used as a sort of private maritime school according to local authority, and was owned by a Mr. Knudsen. It was then located near where Sorensen's Boat Yard (now Staten Island Boat Sales) stands today. In what is described as a masterpiece of timing and engineering. It was floated in on a full moon tide to rest on 12" x 12" 's supported on piles. Large holes were cut in below the waterline to prevent it from floating. It was located where the former club house stood (now Marina Cafe). The dock at that time ended at the pavilion.

Thus was born the Yvette Yacht Club officially incorporated the 17th day of September, 1923.  As a yacht club the Yvette was more of a social organization made up largely of local residents. The shallowness of the water it is said,

precluded any real boating activity. When Mr. Salomons had a 48 foot yacht built it was moored well out in the harbor.

This boat, locally built, was the last word in luxury and equipment of the day. For a name the owner chose that of his adopted grandson Henry David, and for the christening ceremony chorus girls and beauteous ladies who had endorsed his hairnets, were imported with the blessing of David Belasco. The era being Prohibition and all things being thoroughly legal, the gleaming bow of the HENRY DAVID was baptized with fragrant powder puffs tossed from the hand of the gorgeous assemblage.          

In 1929 the name of the Club was changed from the Yvette Yacht Club to the Richmond County Yacht Club and a certificate of change of name was duly filed with the Office of the Secretary of State as of October 1st of that year. The change, coming as it did at the beginning of the depression, brought with it monetary troubles not encountered earlier. The financial crash shook the Club badly as well as its Commodore and "angel". It is reported that Mr. Salomons tapered off in his interest in the Club but remained as its head until 1934 when William O. Steele took over the office.

The hurricane of 1938 inaugurated a series of such devastating storms during the next fifteen years that made a shambles out of many of the harbor's facilities and wrecked many a fine boat. In 1941 a fire swept the houseboat that was the Club House and reduced it to a smoldering hulk along with its contents and valuable records. The fire is said to have started in an adjacent boat yard.

The new replacement building was designed by the late Daniel P. Higgins, mentioned earlier as a founding father. In 1947, during Howard R. Hill's tenure as Commodore, the pier was extended.

With the development of the harbor by dredging and eventual bulk heading, by the Federal WPA, the Richmond County Yacht Club became a Yacht Club in fact rather than just in name as is so ably shown in an article which appeared in the first edition of RANGE  LIGHTS, dealing with the history of sailing up to 1958.

The club has been active in sailboat racing from the beginning. The original fleet was a miscellaneous group of sloops which were raced on a handicap basis. The club wanted to get more people involved and felt a one-design class would be the answer, so a 16 foot centerboard sloop with a shallow rudder, for the conditions then prevailing, was designed. It was called the "Richmond County One-Design class".

They were raced inside the harbor thereby permitting the non participants to root for their favorite from the Club pier. Some years later RCYC started a new one-design, called the "Harpoon" class. They were 19 foot, round bottomed, centerboard sloops.

The years have seen many fleets of one-design class racing at Richmond County. Stars, Comets, Penguins, Thistles, and Lightnings. Of them all only the Penguin fleet continues to race, but the auxiliary fleet has grown and races with a full schedule each season. 1963 celebrated the acquisition of the north property. Then, with the club growing beyond its limited boundary, so was the membership. To forestall the latter, a policy of limited membership went into effect thereby creating a waiting list and a backlog of desirable future members. The next year saw a significant change in the legal framework. Revisions in the constitution were started and completed at this time. It was an arduous task involving many evening meetings. And so changes and improvements were made where needed, but despite these modernization the Club was forever faced with an urgency to expand within the narrow property limits. Plans were drawn to construct an additional story plus extending the building into the space occupied by the lockers. This proposal never got off the ground as it left the Club still with land difficulties so the idea was dropped.

In 1970 Brown's Dock adjacent to us offered their property for sale. This included a main building, a dock with slips and a parking lot. The situation appeared made to order. It also meant that to purchase this property the present club house and land would have to be sold. Excitement and interest rose as it became a matter of "now or never". "Operation Transplant" was duly born.

At the Annual Meeting of 1970 acquisition of the Brown property was overwhelmingly approved to be financed by a refundable bond issue together with the monies received from the sale of the Club property. These matters were duly consummated by the sale of the Club to the Great Kills Boat Yard and Marina, Inc. Membership was increased to 252. Redesigning of the main building was accomplished by architect and Past Commodore Donald E. Peters.  Through the ensuing years each Commodore and his Board of Governors has left an imprint upon the Yacht Club.

Settled in our fine new quarters, ideas for greater convenience and improved appearances followed quickly. The pavilion, so enjoyed on the dock of our former location, was duplicated and is now a favorite site to watch the harbor's passing parade of boats.

The addition of a commanding flag staff, donated by Past Commodore Marty Hamilton, flying its ensign, burgee and officers flags, bids welcome to visitors entering the harbor.

Vastly improved docking facilities designed and executed by members of the Club, make Richmond County a favorite stopover for yachtsmen plying the East Coast.

In 1976, on the 200th Anniversary of our nation, we hosted a 40 yacht German fleet. Following a mammoth American style barbecue, a moving ceremony took place when the two nation's flags and Club burgees were exchanged. An outpouring of national pride was expressed with a mighty rendition of the Star Spangled Banner resounding over the Great Kills evening waterfront.

An attractive lower floor bar, refurbished to the "ship's great room design" of Past Commodore Frank Hansa and dedicated in his memory in 1985, serves as a focal point during the active season. Due to the erosion of time, a new south bulkhead was required the same year. Included in the construction, a wooden deck with attractive railings and seating arrangements extends the outdoor facilities for social events. The design and construction were executed by Past Commodore Herb Loge and his staff, in record time. The original 4th of July Harbor Festival Liberty Cup Race was hosted by RCYC with such luminaries as Ted Turner and other America's Cup 12-meter skippers as daily guests.

Through the late eighties and into the nineties, our membership swelled to its constitutional limit and hovered around the 300 member mark. To accommodate this increased usage of our facilities, a new Fortier launch was purchased in 1991. Our launch fleet was now composed of 3 U.S. Coast Guard certified vessels. During that year, we also purchased 3 fourteen foot Catalina sloops in a successful effort to initiate a "learn to sail" program for members and their children. The inner basin boat slips were replaced and more floats were added.

In 1992, we celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus by hosting the Portuguese Tall Ship Sagres II and her crew. We also had the U.S. Naval Academy Offshore Racing team in attendance as well as visitors from Australia, France, Great Britain and the Soviet Union. A huge barbecue was held and not even the pouring rain could dampen the spirits of the revelers.

In early December 1992, tragedy struck in the form of the most severe Nor'easter to hit the New York area in the 60+ year history of RCYC. The clubhouse had 14 inches of inches water in the lower deck. Flooding, wind & equipment damage were extensive.

Under the leadership of Commodore Gerard Grande and with the staunch support of many members, this catastrophe was turned into an opportunity and during the 1993 year the clubhouse was completely renovated. Not only was the beauty and function of the Clubhouse improved, but also its safety. A Fire Department approved sprinkler system was installed and an attempt to obtain a "certificate of completion" for the building was made.

During the 1994 term of Commodore Thomas Renner, and with his active participation, the renovations and improvements were completed and the "C of C" was granted.

The future brings challenges in the form of mushrooming land development surrounding us hut with wisdom and perseverance, the challenge will be met to keep Richmond County Yacht Club a stronghold of all that yachting and good sportsmanship represents.

The years then that have passed so swiftly can be seen from this brief review to have been replete with outstanding accomplishment. The Board of Governors and the Commodores of this period can be justly proud of their attainments and the membership that elected them likewise can share in the pride with pleasure.