The First Nantucket Yacht Club

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The photograph used on the cover of the January issue of Historic Nantucket has aroused considerable interest, and a number of our readers have asked for some details. The facts are as follows:

It was in the spring of 1905 that Paul G. Thebaud, for many years a well known member of Nantucket's growing summer resident colony, brought about the establishment of the Station later called "Nantucket Station No. 11 of the New York Yacht Club." An experienced yachtsman, Mr. Thebaud belonged to the New York Yacht Club, Seawanhaka-Corinthian Yacht Club. Larchmont Yacht Club, American and Manhasset Bay Yacht Clubs. From his home on the Cliff he had observed the numbers of yachts visiting Nantucket each summer increasing, and realized there was a need for proper landing facilities on the waterfront.

After a meeting with New York Yacht Club officials, Mr. Thebaud was authorized to proceed with the establishment of the station. He purchased a small building at his own expense, had it moved to Steamboat Wharf and fitted it out. He also paid for the services of a custodian. As a result of his efforts

THE FIRST NANTUCKET YACHT CLUB 9 the "Nantucket Station No. 11, New York Yacht Club" found the harbor visited by three times the number of yachts in 1905 than in any previous year.

Dredging of the main channel and around the wharf helped greatly the use of the new station, the work being performed under the direction of the U. S. Engineers and financed by the Government. Under the supervision of the New York Yacht Club, with Mr. Thebaud serving as Commodore, the little station was successful from its inception. It was equipped with a landing float, a launch or tender, telephone, postal accommodations, and other services.

When the Nantucket Athletic Club was purchased and became the Nantucket Yacht Club the little station on Steamboat Wharf had already changed its location. Purchased by William Wallace it had been moved to Old North Wharf as a boat-house. In the spring of 1915, Mr. Wallace had the little building moved again — this time to a pier which he had erected just north of the Yacht Club property. Thereafter, it became known as the Wallace Boat House.