Schuylkill Navy
Encyclopedia
The Schuylkill Navy is an association of amateur rowing
clubs of Philadelphia. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest amateur athletic governing body in the United States
. The member clubs of the Navy are all located on the Schuylkill River
where it flows through Fairmount Park
in Philadelphia, with most of the clubs being located on the historic Boathouse Row
.
The Navy organizes several rowing races during the year. Many of the clubs in the Navy have a rich history and have produced a large number of Olympic and World class competitors.
Historically, the Schuylkill Navy has had a role in certain ceremonial and State functions. On November 11, 1872, the Navy composed the funeral solemnities of General George Meade
. In 1876, in connection with the Centennial Exposition
, an international regatta was held under the auspices of the Schuylkill Navy. At that time, it was the largest regatta of its kind. On April 27, 1878, crews from various clubs of the Navy staged a demonstration to honor the President Rutherford B. Hayes
's visit to Philadelphia.
. Later that month, Amateurs, Nautilus, and Quaker City joined. While not at that first meeting, Undine
and Bachelors
joined the Navy soon after its founding. Bachelors
absorbed member, Amateurs, in December 1858, and became a member in March 1859. While Undine
was not initially listed as a founder, it is considered a founder of the Navy because one of Undine's members was the Secretary Treasurer of the Navy at its inception.
In March 1860, Union Boat Club and Atlantic Barge Club (the 1st) joined the Schuylkill Navy. In September 1860, founder, Camilla Boat Club, resigned. By June 1861, Falcon, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic dissolved. Half of the remaining Schuylkill Navy clubs lapsed during the Civil War
. As of August 1865, Chebutco, Excelsior, Union, Independent, and Keystone no longer existed.
(the 2nd) and Philadelphia Barge Club were elected to the Navy. Five days later, Malta Boat Club
and Washington Boat Club (now known as Vesper
) joinded.
In 1867, the Navy admitted Iona (the 1st), but Iona terminated its membership after it became part of Crescent Boat Club
, which joined in 1868. In April 1868, rowers split from Neptune to form the second Atlantic Boat Club. Keystone (the 2nd) joined the Navy in February 1870, but resigned by the end of the year. Washington Boat Club was renamed Vesper Boat Club
in 1870, then resigned in 1871, and was not a member again until 1879. Bachelors
resigned in 1870 and did not rejoin until 1882. West Philadelphia Barge Club and College Boat Club
joined in 1873 and 1875, respectively.
A new Iona Boat Club, chartered in 1876, joined the Navy in 1884, and lasted until 1895. Fairmount Rowing Association
, in existence since 1877, was admitted in 1916. In 1924, Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association
absorbed West Philadelphia Boat Club. In 1932, under the pressures of the Great Depression
, Quaker City Barge Club and Philadelphia Barge Club closed their doors.Heiland, p. 60
dramatically reduced the membership rolls of the clubs of the Schuylkill Navy. As a result Crescent Boat Club
resigned and leased its boathouse to LaSalle Rowing Association from 1951 until 1960. Pennsylvania Barge Club
(the 2nd) ceased rowing in 1955. Pennsylvania turned its boathouse over to the Navy until its membership was reinstated in 2009.
In 1968, Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club
, a women only club, became a member of the Schuylkill Navy. Most recently, Gillin Boat Club
was elected to the Navy by unanimous vote in 2004.
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
clubs of Philadelphia. Founded in 1858, it is the oldest amateur athletic governing body in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The member clubs of the Navy are all located on the Schuylkill River
Schuylkill River
The Schuylkill River is a river in Pennsylvania. It is a designated Pennsylvania Scenic River.The river is about long. Its watershed of about lies entirely within the state of Pennsylvania. The source of its eastern branch is in the Appalachian Mountains at Tuscarora Springs, near Tamaqua in...
where it flows through Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park
Fairmount Park is the municipal park system of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It consists of 63 parks, with , all overseen by the Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, successor to the Fairmount Park Commission in 2010.-Fairmount Park proper:...
in Philadelphia, with most of the clubs being located on the historic Boathouse Row
Boathouse Row
-Early 19th century beginnings:The history of Boathouse Row begins with the construction of the Fairmount Dam and the adjacent Water Works. The Dam was built in 1810 as part of a lock at the Falls of the Schuylkill to bring coal downriver. The Dam submerged rapids and transformed the Schuylkill...
.
The Navy organizes several rowing races during the year. Many of the clubs in the Navy have a rich history and have produced a large number of Olympic and World class competitors.
Origins
The Schuylkill Navy was founded by Philadelphia rowing clubs seeking a governing body to prevent fixed races. Once formed, the Navy enacted a code of conduct that prohibited wagering on races. The success of the Schuylkill Navy and similar organizations contributed heavily to the extinction of professional rowing and the sport's current status as an amateur sport.Historically, the Schuylkill Navy has had a role in certain ceremonial and State functions. On November 11, 1872, the Navy composed the funeral solemnities of General George Meade
George Meade
George Gordon Meade was a career United States Army officer and civil engineer involved in coastal construction, including several lighthouses. He fought with distinction in the Second Seminole War and Mexican-American War. During the American Civil War he served as a Union general, rising from...
. In 1876, in connection with the Centennial Exposition
Centennial Exposition
The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876, the first official World's Fair in the United States, was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May 10 to November 10, 1876, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. It was officially...
, an international regatta was held under the auspices of the Schuylkill Navy. At that time, it was the largest regatta of its kind. On April 27, 1878, crews from various clubs of the Navy staged a demonstration to honor the President Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
's visit to Philadelphia.
Pre-Civil War
The following nine clubs were present at the founding of the society in October 1858: America, Camilla, Chebucto, Falcon, Independent, Keystone (the 1st), Neptune (the 1st), Pennsylvania (the 1st), and UniversityUniversity Barge Club
University Barge Club of Philadelphia is an amateur rowing club located at #7 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Historic Landmark...
. Later that month, Amateurs, Nautilus, and Quaker City joined. While not at that first meeting, Undine
Undine Barge Club
Undine Barge Club is an amateur rowing club located at #13 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The club was founded in 1856. Undine was not initially listed as a founder of the Schuylkill Navy, but is now considered a founder...
and Bachelors
Bachelors Barge Club
Bachelors Barge Club is an amateur rowing club located at #6 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest continuously operating boathouse in the United States. It went through renovations as part of the "Light Boathouse Row" initiative, in which new...
joined the Navy soon after its founding. Bachelors
Bachelors Barge Club
Bachelors Barge Club is an amateur rowing club located at #6 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest continuously operating boathouse in the United States. It went through renovations as part of the "Light Boathouse Row" initiative, in which new...
absorbed member, Amateurs, in December 1858, and became a member in March 1859. While Undine
Undine Barge Club
Undine Barge Club is an amateur rowing club located at #13 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The club was founded in 1856. Undine was not initially listed as a founder of the Schuylkill Navy, but is now considered a founder...
was not initially listed as a founder, it is considered a founder of the Navy because one of Undine's members was the Secretary Treasurer of the Navy at its inception.
In March 1860, Union Boat Club and Atlantic Barge Club (the 1st) joined the Schuylkill Navy. In September 1860, founder, Camilla Boat Club, resigned. By June 1861, Falcon, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic dissolved. Half of the remaining Schuylkill Navy clubs lapsed during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. As of August 1865, Chebutco, Excelsior, Union, Independent, and Keystone no longer existed.
Post Civil War
Rowing resumed after the Civil War ended, but many of the fledgling post-war clubs did not last. On August 17, 1865, Pennsylvania Barge ClubPennsylvania Barge Club
Pennsylvania Barge Club is an amateur rowing club, situated along the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1861 and joined the Schuylkill Navy in 1865. The Club's boathouse, at #4 Boathouse Row, is also known as the Hollenback House, named for William M...
(the 2nd) and Philadelphia Barge Club were elected to the Navy. Five days later, Malta Boat Club
Malta Boat Club
Malta Boat Club is an amateur rowing club located at #9 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1865, the Club joined the Schuylkill Navy when it relocated to the Schuylkill River from the Delaware River and purchased the facilities of the now defunct...
and Washington Boat Club (now known as Vesper
Vesper Boat Club
Vesper Boat Club is an amateur rowing club located at #10 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1865 as the Washington Barge Club, the Club changed its name to Vesper Boat Club in 1870...
) joinded.
In 1867, the Navy admitted Iona (the 1st), but Iona terminated its membership after it became part of Crescent Boat Club
Crescent Boat Club
Crescent Boat Club is an American amateur rowing club located at #5 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1867 when Pickwick Barge Club and Iona Barge Club merged. Crescent Boat Club joined the Schuylkill Navy in 1868...
, which joined in 1868. In April 1868, rowers split from Neptune to form the second Atlantic Boat Club. Keystone (the 2nd) joined the Navy in February 1870, but resigned by the end of the year. Washington Boat Club was renamed Vesper Boat Club
Vesper Boat Club
Vesper Boat Club is an amateur rowing club located at #10 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1865 as the Washington Barge Club, the Club changed its name to Vesper Boat Club in 1870...
in 1870, then resigned in 1871, and was not a member again until 1879. Bachelors
Bachelors Barge Club
Bachelors Barge Club is an amateur rowing club located at #6 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest continuously operating boathouse in the United States. It went through renovations as part of the "Light Boathouse Row" initiative, in which new...
resigned in 1870 and did not rejoin until 1882. West Philadelphia Barge Club and College Boat Club
College Boat Club
College Boat Club of the University of Pennsylvania is the rowing program for University of Pennsylvania Rowing, located at #11 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its membership consists entirely of past and present rowers of the University of Pennsylvania...
joined in 1873 and 1875, respectively.
A new Iona Boat Club, chartered in 1876, joined the Navy in 1884, and lasted until 1895. Fairmount Rowing Association
Fairmount Rowing Association
Fairmount Rowing Association is an amateur rowing club, founded in 1877. The facility, located at #2 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Fairmount originally catered to blue-collar youths living in the Fairmount...
, in existence since 1877, was admitted in 1916. In 1924, Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association
Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association
Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association is an amateur rowing club located at #12 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn AC was founded in 1871 as the West Philadelphia Boat Club. Penn AC has been a destination for elite rowers looking to make the US National...
absorbed West Philadelphia Boat Club. In 1932, under the pressures of the Great Depression
Great Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement...
, Quaker City Barge Club and Philadelphia Barge Club closed their doors.Heiland, p. 60
Post World War II
World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
dramatically reduced the membership rolls of the clubs of the Schuylkill Navy. As a result Crescent Boat Club
Crescent Boat Club
Crescent Boat Club is an American amateur rowing club located at #5 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1867 when Pickwick Barge Club and Iona Barge Club merged. Crescent Boat Club joined the Schuylkill Navy in 1868...
resigned and leased its boathouse to LaSalle Rowing Association from 1951 until 1960. Pennsylvania Barge Club
Pennsylvania Barge Club
Pennsylvania Barge Club is an amateur rowing club, situated along the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1861 and joined the Schuylkill Navy in 1865. The Club's boathouse, at #4 Boathouse Row, is also known as the Hollenback House, named for William M...
(the 2nd) ceased rowing in 1955. Pennsylvania turned its boathouse over to the Navy until its membership was reinstated in 2009.
In 1968, Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club
Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club
Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club is an amateur rowing club located at #14 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest all-female rowing club in existence...
, a women only club, became a member of the Schuylkill Navy. Most recently, Gillin Boat Club
Gillin Boat Club
Gillin Boat Club is the rowing program for St. Joseph's University Rowing and St. Joseph's Prep Rowing. It is situated at the 1,000-meter mark of the Schuylkill River race course in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
was elected to the Navy by unanimous vote in 2004.
Current members
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Membership history timeline
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See also
- Sport rowingSport rowingRowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
- John B. Kelly, Sr.John B. Kelly, Sr.John Brendan Kelly, Sr., also known as Jack Kelly, was one of the most accomplished American oarsmen in the history of the sport of rowing. He was a triple Olympic Gold Medal winner, the first to do so in the sport of rowing. He won 126 straight races in the single scull...
- John B. Kelly, Jr.John B. Kelly, Jr.John Brendan Kelly, Jr. , also known as Kell Kelly or Jack Kelly, was an accomplished oarsman, a four-time Olympian, and an Olympic medal winner. He was also the son of triple Olympic gold medal winner John B. Kelly, Sr. In 1947, Kelly was awarded the James E...
- Joe Burk
- Paul CostelloPaul CostelloPaul Vincent Costello was an American triple Olympic Gold Medal winner in rowing and he was the first person to win a gold medal in the same event, the double scull , at three consecutive Olympics...