NAHANT — The Nahant Historical Society is looking to shine the spotlight on the historical significance of the Dory Club.
Originally founded in 1894, the club has gone on to become a generational tradition for those who enjoy sailing the open water. This is what featured speaker Graham McKay will talk about on April 23 at 7 p.m.
McKay is the director and boat master at Lowell’s Boat Shop, a working museum located in Amesbury. It was founded in 1793 on the banks of the Merrimac River and is the birthplace of the Dory. He has a master’s degree in Maritime History and Archeology from the University of Bristol in England and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard University.
Currently, McKay serves on the Massachusetts State Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources.
While the club was founded in 1896, the Dory House was built in 1906. In fact, Nahant served as one of the earliest scenes for some of the earliest organized yacht racing in the United States. Nahant participated in yachting annals throughout the 19th century, such as the voyage in 1866 with the yacht “Alice,” which went from Nahant to Cowes, England.
“Alice” was one of the first yachts to cross the Atlantic, according to the club’s website. It was a 27-ton titan that was owned by Nahant summer resident Thomas Appleton and sailed by Benjamin Clark’s son, Arthur.
As large yacht racing began moving into the territories of Marblehead and Manchester in the latter part of the century, residents and summer-time tourists started racing small boats in fishing dories — the core activity that sparked the founding of the Dory Club in 1894.
Soon after, Nahant began designing its own style of dory boats — flat-bottomed centerboards that were internally ballasted in heavy weather with 50-pound pigs of iron or led.
Then, the Spanish-American War put a sudden halt to the club’s racing in 1898 and did not resume operations until later in 1903. In 1906, the clubhouse was built for $1,500 on the town wharf not just for storage but also as a place where members could convene for tea.
Throughout the twists and turns of history, the Dory Club has been there as a lasting element of a different age — a tradition that stands the test of time.
The Dory Club has continued its commitment to fostering junior sailing and racing in Nahant to this day. Since it was first founded, the club has transformed from an informal club — to a period where it was one of the most exclusive sailing clubs in America — then, after World War II, the club returned to its roots as a meeting place for amateur sailors.
Vice Commodore of the Dory Club and Selectman Josh Antrim spoke about his connections to the club and its lasting impact on history.
“Dory Club has been the center of Nahant’s sailing activities for well over a hundred years,” Antrim said. “It started out as fishermen racing their dories against one another. It’s a great tradition, and I’m looking forward to more fun sailing in the future.”
Selectman Rob Tibbo spoke about his family’s connections to the club as well as the club’s contributions to the town.
“My family has a lot of connections to the club, besides the fact that it’s a place for sailors to get together,” Tibbo said. “I think the most important thing that they do is sponsor the Nahant Sailing Program throughout the summer… It’s a significantly large group of teenagers who are acting as instructors, managed by adults, and we bring in kids from clubs all over town; they learn how to sail and enjoy other activities.”
