The Lost Hudson River Yacht Club - Riverside Drive and 92nd Street

The enclosed portion of the lower veranda was possibly part of renovations in 1902.  Note the skylight that lit the staircase inside.   photograph by P. L. Sperr, from the collection of the New York Public Library

Two of the most popular summer activities for wealthy Manhattan men were the breeding of thoroughbred horses and yachting.  Multiple yachting clubs were formed in the 19th century, not only at summer resorts like Long Island and Newport, but in Manhattan.  In 1873 the Hudson River Yacht Club was formed.  Its two-story clubhouse was erected on the shore of the Hudson River at 74th Street.  A wooden piazza provided both refreshing river breezes and a vantage point from which to watch the club's annual regattas.

On May 31, 1890, The City Record reported that the Department of Docks had granted the Hudson River Yacht Club "permission to remove their club-house from the foot of West Seventy-fourth street, and locate the same at the foot of West Ninety-second street."  (The request for the move was necessary because the Department of Docks owned all the shoreline and structures like the yacht club sat on rented property.)  The clubhouse was raised and relocated nearly 20 blocks to the north.

Although the clubhouse was not yet ready to open, the annual Hudson River Yacht Club Ladies' Day and Parade went on in 1891.  On August 8, the New-York Tribune reported, "Twenty-one sloops, steam yachts and catboats, comprising about three-fourths of the fleet of the Hudson River Yacht Club, started up the Hudson yesterday morning at 11 o'clock."  The fleet stopped at 1:00 for lunch at Powder Dock, "after which the young men and women danced for about an hour," before returning to the clubhouse.

The relocation, of course, also necessitated a new boathouse and piers.  Approval for that construction was given in October 1892.  Additionally, a large deck upon which yachts could be repaired was constructed.  It cost $1,000 (equal to about $35,600 in 2025).  

Finally, on May 9, 1893, The New York Times reported, "The clubhouse of the Hudson River Yacht Club, at the foot of West Ninety-second Street, is now open for the season," noting, "The clubhouse is very prettily situated."  The New-York Tribune added, "Over $1,500 was spent last fall in improving the club's headquarters in many ways, one of the most important of which was the addition of a new marine railway."

On the ground floor, said The Times, was a "large storeroom for spars and sails.  It is fitted with lockers, in which the members keep their yachting clothes and small articles used on their yachts."  On the northern end of the building was a "good-sized cafe," and on the second floor was a "large parlor, furnished very cozily with chairs, tables, and a piano."  

The development of Riverside Park, begun in 1872, was inching up this far north at the time.  On May 9, 1894, the Department of Parks granted a request from the Hudson River Yacht Club, "that an opening be left in the wall on Riverside Park opposite Ninety-second street to afford access to their premises."

High tide surrounds the clubhouse in this photo.  Behind can be seen the steep wooden staircase from Riverside Drive.  New-York Tribune, October 14, 1900 (copyright expired)

Opening the season each year involved pageantry.  On May 31, 1896, The Journal reported that the "handsome house of the Riverside Yacht Club presented a gala appearance" for the occasion.  "The gun from Commodore Diefenthaler's flagship announcing the entry of the club into commission for the season was responded to by more than fifty pleasure vessels, which swung at their moorings.  The entire bay, as well as the clubhouse, presented a kaleidoscopic view of multi-colored flags."  A stringed orchestra played music throughout the afternoon.

The Hudson River Yacht Club was unique in that it operated a "training ship."  Inexperienced young men were trained in sailing by a veteran member.  On May 5, 1896, The Journal mentioned, "nearly all of the middle-aged members have received their first tuition on this remarkable vessel."

During the winter of 1902, architect Louis C. Mauer filed plans "for the alteration of the frame house of the Hudson River Yacht Club."  The "interior and exterior alterations" most likely included the enclosing of the southern portion of the lower piazza.

On June 14, 1902, members and their families gathered here and "danced and feasted," according to the New-York Tribune.  "A number of the children of the members stole from the clubhouse, and wended their way to a float," said the article.  At the time, several of the members were seated on the second floor of the piazza, including Commodore Dr. Frank J. McLaren.  Suddenly, the cry of "Boy overboard!" was heard.

McLaren did not pause to remove any of his clothing, plunging into the river and swimming to the drowning boy.  "He caught hold of him as he was sinking, and with a few dextrous [sic] strokes managed to reach the float with the unconscious boy," said the New-York Tribune.  It was only then that McLaren realized that the boy was his own six-year-old son Frank.  He was carried into the clubhouse where a physician, "who was hastily called," revived him.

Saying that the Hudson River Yacht Club "has been a prosperous and growing organization from the start," on July 10, 1904 The Motor Boat noted, "every convenience is provided both for boating and social club life."  The article mentioned that its members had kept up with the times, embracing changing trends.  "When the power boat became an established adjunct to yachting, the Hudson River Yacht Club was one of the first to take it up."

Among the members who embraced motor boating was August Kratenger.  On October 21, 1917, he took his wife and their 9-month-old baby on "a long ride up the Hudson," as reported by The New York Times.  They were returning back to the clubhouse when the motor stopped at around 117th Street.  Kratenger was standing over the engine attempting to repair it when a heavy swell rocked the boat and knocked him into the water.  Aware that he could not swim, his wife frantically attempted to throw a rope to him, while the current took the boat farther away.  "Finally he went down," said the article.

Mrs. Kratenger screamed for help as the current continued to take the disabled craft down river.  Finally, at around 96th Street, the captain of a coal barge yard heard her and rescued the mother and baby.  August Kratenger's body was never found.

When P. L. Sperr took this photograph on April 29, 1934, the fate of the clubhouse was already sealed.  from the collection of the New York Public Library

The first threats to the Hudson River Yacht Club's clubhouse came in the summer of 1928.  On August 31, The New York Times reported on the "long-sought beautification" of the river's shoreline.  The article said, "the plan of beautification would require filling in front of the Hudson River Yacht Club at Ninety-second Street."  

After what Park Commissioner Robert Moses accused the club officials of "stalling," on April 19, 1934 he issued an eviction notice--giving the club two weeks to leave.  The New York Times said he warned if, "your property is not removed by [May 1], it will be treated as abandoned property."  The club's commodore, Dr. John A. Harris, complained, "This order is brutal.  There is no justification for it.  We haven't had time to consider what we shall do."

Moses was unrelenting, telling reporters that the club had "no lease, no permit, no anything" and "was in no position to make any conditions or try to dictate to him," reported The Times.

Expectedly, the club overstayed the May 1 order.  On June 28, 1934, The New York Times reported that "flames of undetermined origin destroyed the Hudson River Yacht Club."  The fire left "only a charred skeleton for the wreckers," said the newspaper later.

The Hudson River Yacht Club, now one of the oldest operating yacht clubs in United States, operates today from the foot of Avenue U and Bergen Avenue in Brooklyn.