two orange angular bars in it and ;m orange 
tip, but this was changed in 1903 to the present 
red, white and blue pennant with a white star 
in the red field nearest the mast. 
In 1902 the ma.nland becoming crowded by 
r. ■ 
HAYDEE. 
0, and who yacht for the love of the sport of 
achting. not because it is mere fashion. 
In 1896.^ when Port Morris was a meadow, 
'ith the Knickerbocker club house on the point 
ear the Kills, the Morrisania Y. C. was or- 
anized and incorporated by a collection of en- 
lusiasts, who had started the club in 1893, and 
club house was secured at the foot of East 
56th street, out near the end of Oak Point, 
lere for several years the club grew and many 
n exciting race was sailed over its regular club 
3 urse, to and around Gangway Buoy. Not 
nly sailed in summer, but resailed over and 
ver all the succeeding winter around the club 
ouse fire, with the result that when spring re- 
ased the yachts from their icy covering they 
ere put into the pink of condition to decide 
ie wagers made over winter on different 
vorites. Hard sailed match races, such as the 
ankee-Florencc race in October, 1902. or the 
orence-Coquette match in the fall of 1901, 
Inch have gone down on the club record as 
d letter days of the organization, were the re¬ 
nts. Rich in enthusiasm, its club members 
e held together by strong bonds of friendship, 
ie kind of friendship that actually helps a man, 
’t a hollow mockery of it. Friendship that will 
ny a dozen willing men when one is ready to 
ml out his yacht for the winter to help do the 
b. 
The club flag was then a black pennant with 
business interests that began to develop around 
Oak Point, the club sought a more secluded site. 
At that time South _ Brother Island was used as 
a baseball field, being owned, as it still is, by 
J. Ruppert, the brewer. But to get possession 
proved even harder than to procure the lease, as a 
very stout lady by the name of Mrs. Frank had a 
comfortable home on the island as caretaker 
and had no intentions of moving; resisting all 
advances with stout folded arms, clasping a 
double-barrel shotgun, and beside her stood a 
vicious-looking dog. This necessitated bring¬ 
ing suit to obtain possession of the island 
which was finally evacuated by the enemy. The 
last to leave, a little bare-legged urchin, proudly 
remarking as he stepped into a skiff, “Now, 
gentlemen, you are in possession of the island!” 
No time was lost in getting the place into 
shape so as to be useful to yachtsmen. The 
members themselves turned to, and built the 
foundation and laid the floors for the new house. 
Then carpenters were employed to build a two- 
story structure with veranda around two sides, 
the members lending a hand whenever they could 
spare the time from their business. Bathing 
houses were converted into lockers. A large 
barge that a tug boat 1 was towing out the 
CLYTIE. 
lowed up these victories around Newark, N. 
J., under the name of Isadora, and has been 
the undefeated champion of the 25-footers 
around Sound waters for the past three years. 
In light or heavy weathers, running or to wind¬ 
ward, Tillie has won a string of trophies her 
owner is justly proud of. 
Another old standby of this club is the little 
black sloop Clytie, owned by Desser & Loewy. 
There are few old-style boats on Long Island still 
The Morrisania Y. C. 
Sound to drop somewheres and let it drift 
ashore with wind or tide was, for a tip of ten 
dollars, stranded on the island’s shore in front 
of the club house and converted into a dock, 
from which a runway was built out to a float¬ 
ing landing stage in deep water. 
At present the Morrisania fleet numbers forty- 
one boats, sail, auxiliary and power boats being 
represented among them. 
Some of the best known boats in the fleet 
are the Florence, a staunch, able, old-timer of 
the 36ft. class, owned by Messrs. Schroder Bros. 
The Florence still takes part in the annual races, 
though, as .a rule, she is the carry-all for the 
fleet and acts as judge’s boat. 
The Tillie is the crack sloop in the 25ft. class, 
owned by Mr. P. Hagen. Tillie is one of the 
many boats turned out by Wallin & Gorman 
and was launched in 1900 as the “Sprite,” and 
under that name cleaned out all competitors in 
the Lower Bay and adjacent waters. She fol- 
TXLLIE. 
BY C. G. DAVIS. 
EW yacht clubs in the 
near vicinity of New 
York city have the 
many advantages en¬ 
joyed by the members 
of the Morrisania Y. 
C. Alone, free* from 
petty annoyances and 
outside interference 
on the island called 
South Brother, they 
can do as they please 
uul enjoy all the liberties of a Robinson 
Crusoeyet are connected with the mainland 
)>• a launch, making hourly trips to the foot of 
138th street, right where the crosstown trolley 
;ar stops. 
The vicissitudes of this club, the obstacles 
iresented and successfully overcome by its mem- 
>ers well represents the energy and active spirit 
ff its members, composed mostly of business 
nen, men who work and are not afraid to do 
THE CLUB HOUSE ON SOUTH BROTHER ISLAND. 
