Suffolk Boat Club

During World War II the United States Coast Guard organized a unit of the Coast Guard Reserve in the Patchogue area. The Reserve was composed of knowledgeable boaters drawn from members of the United States Power Squadrons and yacht clubs in the area and who were too old to be drafted or accepted into the regular armed forces.

The Reserve mission was to support the active duty Coast Guard which they did by standing duty watches at Moriches and Fire Island Coast Guard Stations and patrolling the Great South Bay to report visible lights during the blackout and other suspicious activity. They were trained by the Coast Guard and required to attend drills and classroom instruction. The uniform and the duty gave these men the opportunity to serve their country by providing direct assistance to the Coast Guard and thus rendering valuable service to and support of the war effort.

Disbanded in 1946, the Reserve Unit was reformed into a quasi governmental/civilian organization which we know today as the Coast Guard Auxiliary. They continue to patrol the bay and render assistance to boaters through search and rescue missions in direct assistance and support of the Coast Guard and the Suffolk County Police.

Since the Coast Guard Auxiliary received money and training from the government it was not permitted to engage in regular social activities as a part of its programs. Responding to the desire to continue the friendships and associations formed during the war years the former Reservists and Auxiliary members started a separate social organization which became The Suffolk Boat Club.

At first the only members were the men of the Reserve Unit and the Auxiliary; the original club bylaws even stipulated that it would always provide a home for the Auxiliary. However, over the years new members joined the Auxiliary but not always did they join the Club. Ultimately the Auxiliary moved to other venues, and it no longer need the support of the Club. Finally, in the late l970s, responding to social pressure and waning interest women became members and began attending meetings, holding offices and participating in a wide range of new social events, beginning an era of revitalization and renewal.

The first clubhouse was an obsolete coal barge, which plied the Hudson River for 100 years or more. It was purchased and towed to Patchogue where it was docked at the present location of the club. The interior was refinished to make it habitable, folding chairs were brought aboard and an honor bar was set up. Everett Dunkerley who was the commanding officer of the Reserve Unit became the first commodore. It has been said that the meetings were always very short, followed by some lively poker games and occasionally a stag film. Ed Schwinge cooked his famous onion soup and John Horndrup tended bar. Dunkerley was also known for his fine cigars, the smoke from which permeated the air on meeting nights.

Soon the old barge began to sink. Members took turns pumping it out by hand as there was no electricity on the street back then.  A member, Alfred P. Volkmann, owned the surrounding land and was in the process of re-bulkheading and dividing it into 20 foot plots to sell as dock spaces. He sold two of the spaces to the club and the barge was hauled onto the land by Curtis Davis, another member, and the sinking problem was solved. It wasn't long however, before the termites invaded the structure and it began to crumble and fall apart.

In the mid 1950’s the club raised sufficient money and committed volunteer labor to construct a new clubhouse laid out substantially as it exists today. At first there was an open porch on the north end of the building. The first addition was to enclose the porch and move the bar there. After a later fire the building was expanded to accommodate the present bar and enlarge the kitchen.

Alfred A.Volkmann 

September 15, 20 I 0