The Junior Seamanship Academy

FBYC History....

Early in our history, FBYC (then the Urbanna Yacht Club) demonstrated its commitment to training its youth in the art and science of sailing. During the early, dark days of World War II in 1942, the club established the Junior Seamanship Academy that met during five evenings at the St. James Parrish House in Richmond followed by on the water instruction on a 20-foot wooden sloop-rigged training vessel on Urbanna Creek and the Rappahannock River.

A postcard notice from our archives dated later in the decade read as follows:

Come to the Urbanna Yacht Club’s Junior Seamanship Academy

June 1 – Introduction to Course & Nomenclature
June 8 – Knots
June 15 – Ships Model
June 22 – Theory of Sailing
June 29 – Regulations of Right Away & Rules of the Road

Classes will be held at St. James Parrish House 7:30 to 9:30 P.M.

EXPERT INSTRUCTORS: Mr. G. Harrison, Mr. J. Scott, Mr. R. Dunn Mr. R. Ryland, Mr. C. Pflugradt

A full page spread from the Richmond Times-Dispatch dated April 26, 1942 pictured the various training activities of our junior members at the St. James Church Parrish House.

Next Month: More Junior History