A Unique Decorating Experience
Room Re-Design Window Treatments Upholstery Fabrics v Service New Home Consults Colour Consulting v Home Decor 85 Main Street Brighton, ON K0K 1H0 613-920-4667 www.specialeffectsdecorating.com
Downtown Brighton Has it All!
Stay in the know. Sign up for our monthly newsletter.
dbia@brighton.ca
20
COUNTY & QUINTE LIVING autumn 2016
Sifting through myriad documents, Association (LYRA), along with Oswego, the fascinating story of BQYC – the Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC), second oldest yacht club in Ontario and and Toronto Yacht Club; with the first the fourth oldest in Canada – unfolds LYRA regatta held in Big Bay at Belleville like a family tree; piecing together the on August 12, 1885. Many well-known history as best as can be remembered or names in the fleet included Aileen, documented. Club historian Susan Smith Atalanta, Cygnet, Condor, and Oriole. The has ensured these priceless photos and most recent LYRA regatta held in July of documents remain in the club’s archives. this year was hosted by the Whitby Yacht Club as part of their 50th anniversary Susan is as passionate about BQYC celebrations. as she is about history. Of the 61 Commodores who have served the yacht BQYC was very active in the yacht club since 1876, Susan holds the honour racing circuits in the late 1800s through of being the first female, holding the the turn of the century and is most position for the 1990/91 term. Susan commonly known for the sailing prowess and her family joined BQYC in 1976. of club member Captain Alexander Her husband Bob served as director for Cuthbert, one of the foremost 19th century several years; their sons were active junior yacht designers. Club history notes sailors and later spent their summers as Captain Cuthbert designed and built the dock boys. Susan continued on the board RCYC’s Countess of Dufferin, the first until 2014 and has been club historian Canadian challenger to the America’s since 1984. “BQYC has played a large role Cup in 1876. He also designed, built, and in our family’s love of all things nautical,” skippered the 78-foot yacht, Atalanta, states Susan. which challenged the New York Yacht BQYC was one of the founding Club for the America’s Cup on November members of the Lake Yacht Racing 9, 1881. Mischief, the defender, retained