History
Catawba Sail & Power Squadron (CPS) was formed more than 60 years ago.
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How United States Power Squadrons Originated
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In 1912 when the motor boat was just becoming reliable, and speeds of 8 to 10 knots were being achieved by the more powerful boats, a group of Boston Yacht Club members, feeling that there was a serious lack of knowledge of the proper handling of motor boats, instituted special activities for power boats, including instructional classes in their operation. Thus began the "Power Squadron of the Boston Yacht Club." Soon other eastern yacht clubs learned of the movement, found it to be attractive, and sought to join in the work. This led to meetings at the New York Yacht Club and the formation of the national organization in 1914. The original membership requirements laid great stress on the ability to handle boats properly. Also because of the war in Europe at the time, emphasis was placed on boat drills patterned after naval practice, on signaling, and on similar preparedness activities. The ability to pass an entrance examination was one of the earliest requirements.
By 1916, the membership had grown to some five hundred. The instruction program had taken on definite form and the fore-runner of the present-day Junior Navigation Course had been instituted. It encompassed only the bare essentials of today's course, and was given as a series of four lectures during the winter. Passing a special examination and attendance of four drills per year for three years made a member a Junior Navigator. Despite the limited lecture program, the examination included some of the subject matter of the present Navigator Course, which dates from 1917. ​ As the United States prepared to enter World War I, USPS organized an extensive series of classes, open to non-members as well as members, for the study of seamanship, signaling, navigation and naval procedures. This was the first of many civic services offered to the public by USPS through the years. Over 5000 men who attended those Squadron classes entered the armed forces, many of them receiving commissions partially on the basis of their USPS training. ​ With the return of peace, the boat drill requirement was dropped from the Squadrons' program and emphasis was shifted to instructional activities as a service to its members. The USPS constitution was re-drafted to implement the objectives, and the organization was reconstituted on a truly national basis. The development of USPS as it is known today had begun. ​ At the outset, progress was relatively slow, but the instruction program was carried on from year to year and the membership continued to grow. The old distinction between sail and power boating faded, and the squadrons began to appeal to all those interested in the handling of small boats. In the late 1920's, a thorough review of the entire instruction program for its members was undertaken and from this study emerged the work in the Advanced Grades, which made provision for the courses now known as Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation and Navigation. Through continuous development, USPS evolved a well-rounded educational program administered by its members who are some of the best informed and most enthusiastic boatmen in the country. United States Power Squadrons is a civilian body in every way and, although officers and members may wear uniforms, it is in no sense a military organization. Any boat, when it displays the Ensign of United States Power Squadrons is marked as being under the command of an individual who has earned the right to display this symbol. ​
Catawba Sail and Power Squadron Chartered 1964
The Catawba Power Squadron was organized in 1964 and belongs to District 27 together with 13 other Squadrons, covering North Carolina and the Lake Wylie area of South Carolina. The Squadron took its name from the Catawba Indian Tribe who were the first settlers in the Catawba River Basin which encompasses Lake Wylie.
In December 2002, to reflect that all boaters are welcome, the name of the squadron was changed to Catawba Sail & Power Squadron. In 2018 the squadron adopted the use of America's Boating Club of the Catawba to even better identify to the recreational boating community what it is that we do. We are still the Catawba Sail and Power Squadron, but we choose to identify ourselves as an integral part of America's Boating Club. In September 2014 we celebrated our fiftieth year of service to the boating community of York, Chester and Lancaster counties of South Carolina and our boating friends in North Carolina. Our primary boating venue is Lake Wylie, a 13,500-acre lake with 325 miles of shoreline located North of Rock Hill, SC and stretching into North Carolina. The lake was named after Dr. W. Gil Wylie, who organized the Catawba Power Company, a predecessor of Duke Energy. It was first created in 1904 by a dam near Ft. Mill, SC and it is the oldest lake on the Catawba.
Catawba Sail and Power Squadron Today
America's Boating Club - Catawba (Catawba Sail and Power Squadron) celebrated its 60th .........
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History of the
Catawba Sail and Power Squadron Burgee
The three blue stripes represent the three-county area (York, Chester, and Lancaster Counties) located along the South Carolina banks of the Catawba River from which our Squadron draws its membership and attempts to serve by furthering the objectives of the United States Power Squadrons.
The red tepee and blue anchor are symbolic of the Catawba Nation whose tribal name the Squadron has adopted and who were known to the first explorers and settlers in the Catawba Basin as 'Issa', which in the Catawba tongue means 'People of the River'. The gold stripes on the border of the burgee indicates the Squadron has been chartered for 50 years or more.
Past Squadron Commanders
The men and women listed below all dedicated a minimum of one year of their life to leading, managing, and coaching the Catawba Sail and Power Squadron.
To these people the Squadron is deeply indebted.
First column of past commander names and years
Second column of P/Cs with years and names
Past Educational Officers
The men and women listed helped to lead one of the most important arms of the squadron -- the Educational Department -- responsible for planning for, conducting, and managing all courses. Our boating skills are tied directly to their service.
First column of past EOs with names and years
Second column of past EOs with names and years