Our 1st Fifty Years: A Cruise Down Memory Lane……..
- 1950-51
May 30, 1950 – The Miami Power Squadron visited us and presented us with our Charter which was issued on May 3, 1950.
The first Piloting class was held at the Duval High School with 40 students attending.
The first boat cruise was held at the Fulton Boat Works with 10 boats attending. It was the first time the City of Jacksonville ever saw 10 boats parade under the main Street Bridge on their way down the St. Johns River.
Dues for the year were $6.00. There was no money in the treasury and most bills were paid by donations.
Our Squadron was a part of District 8, which included Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Ft. Lauderdale.
At the end of this year, the outgoing Commander started the presentation of a Commander’s Flag to the new Commander. It was the responsibility of the outgoing Commander to have the new Commander’s name stitched on the flag.
- 1950-51
May 30, 1950 – The Miami Power Squadron visited us and presented us with our Charter which was issued on May 3, 1950.
The first Piloting class was held at the Duval High School with 40 students attending.
The first boat cruise was held at the Fulton Boat Works with 10 boats attending. It was the first time the City of Jacksonville ever saw 10 boats parade under the main Street Bridge on their way down the St. Johns River.
Dues for the year were $6.00. There was no money in the treasury and most bills were paid by donations.
Our Squadron was a part of District 8, which included Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Ft. Lauderdale.
At the end of this year, the outgoing Commander started the presentation of a Commander’s Flag to the new Commander. It was the responsibility of the outgoing Commander to have the new Commander’s name stitched on the flag.
- 1951-1952
The first Family Cruise was held at Doctors Lake, with 12 boats attending.
- 1952-1953
Adopted “JACKSONVILLE PENNANT”. A contest was held for different designs and the one presented by John Armstrong was chosen.
Started the “SKIPPER” with Editor Pop Zahn (the father of Emil Zahn, who .is still a member in 1975). First District 8 Conference held in Jacksonville. Walter Churchill, Chairman. Developed first Visual Aid program and displayed at National Convention in New York.
Women’s Auxiliary started; to be known as the “JACKS”.
- 1953-1954
First long cruise to Bimini.
First time Jacksonville Power Squadron participated in Gator Bowl Water Parade
- 1954-1955
Started “Boner Award” to be awarded to member pulling the biggest BOO-BOO when operating his boat.
- 1955-1956
Piloting Class held once a week over T.V.
- 1956-1957
At the District 8 Conference in Tampa, it was voted to split the District 8 into 3 parts. Jacksonville voted against the move, feeling that the Northern and Eastern parts of Florida were not well enough organized to have a district of their own. However, the move passed and the three districts were: Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa areas. Jacksonville became District 23, along with Daytona Beach, Banana River, Orlando, Vero Beach and Jacksonville Beach.
- 1957-1958
First year that all advance courses were offered.
First year the “JACKS” held classes for youths.
First Sail Class offered.
- 1959-1960
First Piloting Class held outside of Jacksonville City limits at Florida Tackle & Gun Club- 150 students
Jacksonville Power Squadron became incorporated.
- 1964-1965
Two of Jacksonville Squadron’s visual awards received National awards.
- 1966-1967
Started the office of “CHART CORRECTION OFFICER”. Claude 0. Wilson was the first Chairman, and in his first year won an award from the Coast & Geodetic Survey in Washington.
The use of large billboards, donated free, resulted in the largest turnout of students for the Piloting Classes in history.
- 1967-1968
The Ladies Auxiliary, “JACKS”, name was changed to the Jacksonville Power Squadron Auxiliary, Inc. to give the ladies a non-profit organization status.
Co-op Charting Chairman Lt. Claude 0. Wilson again put Jacksonville No.1 in the Nation in Co-op Charting for the third year with over 300 sightings.
A special outing by boats conducted for approximately 75 boys from the Boys Home to Black Creek on 8/19/67. Mayor Hans Tanzler sent a special letter of appreciation for this Squadron conducted trip.
