HYC History
Huguenot Yacht Club was organized in 1894 as Neptune Yacht Club (after Neptune Island). The Club officially opened on New Year’s Day 1895, renamed in honor of the Huguenots who came to New Rochelle in 1688 from La Rochelle, France. The club was originally located in two small buildings leased from Adrian Iselin. Construction of the new clubhouse started that February and it officially opened May 1895 amid celebrations, including a “stunt race,” whose only condition was that each sloop, catboat and schooner should carry one or more ladies.
The club grew in membership and influence through the First World War. After winning the coveted America’s Cup Regatta, the yacht “Defender” was stationed at HYC for the next four years to welcome visitors. The club organized dances and theatrical presentations and earned honors in numerous regattas and races throughout Long Island Sound, all of which were reported on a regular basis by metropolitan area newspapers.
As a founding member of the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound and the Junior Racing Association of Long Island Sound, our mission is to continue the sport of sailing and its traditions.
Traditions
Flag Etiquette
While there are no laws governing the flying of flags on non-commercial vessels, there are rich maritime traditions concerning their display. Huguenot Yacht Club observes the tradition of making colors between club commissioning (mid-May) and decommissioning (mid-October). On national holidays and other special occasions such as commissioning, we also follow the tradition of dressing ship with the International Code signal flags.
Colors
Yachts and the Shore Station shall make colors at 0800hrs and sunset each day between Commissioning and Decommissioning. Colors are signaled by the firing of a cannon except on Sunday mornings. On entering or leaving a port when colors are not made, a yacht shall display her flags provided there is sufficient light for them to be recognized. In this case, colors shall be lowered promptly after securing the vessel or leaving port.
Members are requested to stand and remain silent during the raising and lowering of the national flag.
Shore Station
A yacht club’s flagpole represents the mast of a ship. The national ensign is flown from the gaff position of the flagpole, considered to be the place of honor. The club burgee is flown from the masthead, and the flag of the senior officer present is flown from the starboard spreader. The US Union Jack, 50 white stars on a blue field, is flown from the port spreader on Sundays.
Yachts
The United States ensign or United States yacht ensign is displayed between morning and evening colors and shall be flown from the gaff or stern staff. The burgee is displayed by day and night or whenever the ensign is hoisted. The burgee shall be flown from the bow staff of a power yacht or the truck of a sailing yacht. The United Sates ensign or yacht ensign and yacht club burgee should never be displayed while a boat is racing.
Additional information on flag etiquette can be found on the United States Power Squadron site.