HPS History
Founding of the Hartford Power Squadron
The following is excerpted from the 50th anniversary Bilge Pump in April, 1981 (Kenneth Weeks, Jr., AP, Editor) as well as the 75th anniversary booklet of District 1.
The Hartford Power Squadron had its beginning in late 1930 when Kenneth B. Noble, JN of New Haven Power Squadron sent Piloting class placards to local yacht clubs. Walter Pittman of Wethersfield Cove Yacht Club wrote to Noble expressing interest in the course and offering full cooperation.
On 23 January 1931, Captain Noble, having received authority to give the class from then C/C Frederic W. Keator, N, of the New Haven Squadron, reports that he began the Hartford introductory course with 23 students. The course was held at the Morse Business College in Hartford. Attendance grew to 70 men from Springfield, Hartford, Wethersfield and Middletown. On 27 March, 1931, it was reported that 23 Hartford men passed the exam, most with very high scores.
The original By-Laws of Hartford Power Squadron were voted on 9 April, 1931 and captain Noble was elected the first Commander.
On 28 November, 1931, the Hartford Squadron received its charter signed by C/C Frederick L Reid. The names of the following twenty-seven charter members appear on the charter:
C.D. Belanger, C.C. Bell, G. Benoit, A.W. Bevin, F.N. Deardon, R.P. Drew, M. Fishborn, R. Fox, H. Halliday, S.S. Hasbrouck, S.A. Hasbrouck, T. Holden, R.A. House, W.E. Morse, E.A. Moyer, K.B. Noble, W.T. Palmer, H.R. Philbrick, W.E. Pittman, K.B. Post, R. Robbins, J.H. Schwarz, Jr., H.A. Sorenson, E.G. Spencer, H.R. Stockder, W. Walther, H.B. Wilson.The following is excerpted from the 50th anniversary Bilge Pump in April, 1981 (Kenneth Weeks, Jr., AP, Editor) as well as the 75th anniversary booklet of District 1.
The Hartford Power Squadron Historical Notes
Hartford member Wesley E. Morse, N (one of the founding members) served as Chief Commander in 1937-38. It was during his tenure that the present “District” structure was formalized. It was apparently not coincidental that Hartford was placed in District 1.
In February, 1939, the Hartford Squadron published its first monthly newsletter, “The Bilge Pump“.
In 1949, the Connecticut State Legislature created the requirement of numbering boats and required a license fee.
In 1961, the Weather Bureau initiated its practice of announcing “small craft warnings” whenever “moderately strong winds” were expected along the coast.
In 1962, the Executive Committee voted to allow the formation of a “Squadron Auxiliary”. At that time women were not allowed as full members. In 1973, as a result of the “Hinden Case” in New Jersey, the USPS was forced to reaffirm the USPS as a “private club”. This drastically altered the methods of soliciting candidates for classes and membership.
The following are excerpted from later issues of the Bilge Pump.
October, 1990- The Connecticut General Assembly passed public Act 89-388 that requires a Certificate of Boating Operation (CBO) to operate power boats with 25hp or above or sail boats above 19 ½ feet. The law finally took effect on October 1, 1992 and included all operation of any motor vessel. This act significantly increased the demand on our Basic Boating Course and for many years the Power Squadrons of District 1 provided the primary training for Connecticut’s boaters.
The Hartford Power Squadron provided the following members who served as District Commanders of District 1.
Clifford R. Haskins, N, Halsey R. Philbrick, N, and Wesley F. Morse, N served as Rear Commanders (office now known as District Commander). Joseph C. Sonntag, N, William E. Andrew, N, Robert L. O'Brien, N, Hayden F. Loveland, N, and Patrick A. Pabouet, P.
C/C Wesley E. Morse, N of Hartford (Chief Commander 1937-1938) recommended the setting up of the present district organization. We surmise that is why we are in District 1.
The Hartford Power Squadron Hartford Firsts
The Hartford Power Squadron can be very proud of some of the accomplishments of its members through the years.
The following is excerpted from the 50th anniversary Bilge Pump in April, 1981 (Kenneth Weeks, Jr., AP, Editor) as well as the 75th anniversary booklet of District 1.
In USPS history, the first two ladies to successfully complete the “N” course were HPS affiliates Mary Baker and Marion Bills on 2 April, 1944. There was apparently a disagreement with the Wilmington, DE Squadron, which had originally claimed that distinction, but our ladies carried the day.
In 1953, P/C Bob Gorton took the lead in developing a “Sail” course for USPS. In gratitude for his efforts, he was asked to give the first course and Hartford members H. Raymond Little, John W. Lessner, Dr. Benjamin B. Whitcomb, Caldwell S. Phillips, John A. McNamara, Paul Eddy, and Robert E. Gorton passed the first exam. Bob Gorton went on to become the Rear Commander of the Education Department for the USPS.
In 1954, Paul Eddy, having passed the Sail course, became the first USPS member to have all possible endorsements, including IT (instructor development). This is now called “Full Certificate” and entitles the member to the grade of SN (Senior Navigator).
In 1961, the Manchester Power Squadron was chartered as an off-shoot of the Hartford Squadron.
The following are excerpted from later issues of the Bilge Pump.
The October, 1982 Bilge Pump reported that as of 11 September, 1982, following a vote at a special USPS meeting, women are now allowed to join the USPS as “active” Members. Prior to this vote, women had only been allowed to be “auxiliary” members.
In 1986, P/C Kenneth Weeks, Jr., AP completed his long time tenure as Bilge Pump Editor by compiling and having bound all of the issues from 1939 to 1986. In 2005, Lt/C Cliff McKibbin, AP, Secretary and Historian, completed the effort by obtaining bound copies of the issues from 1986 to 2004. This effort has continued to the present.
The March, 1995 Bilge Pump reported that P/C Christine Gwizd had completed the first Hartford Squadron Membership Manual.
In 2005, Lt/C Cliff McKibbin, AP, Secretary and Historian, brought the Hartford History forms up-to-date by completing 29 back histories and submitting them to the USPS. Hartford has been 100% since that date.
Educational Statistics
One of the primary missions of the United States Power Squadron is to educate its members and the public in the safe and proper use of boats. Throughout its history, the Hartford Power Squadron has been proud to take on this mission. Statistics of our education efforts from the past 35 years (ending in 2015) bear this out. We want to thank all of the members who have participated in the effort, especially those who have sacrificed their time to teach our courses.
The total students taught in each course are:
Basic Boating to members of the public 7,957 Advanced Grade Courses Seamanship 489 Piloting 464 Advanced Piloting 250 Junior Navigation 53 Navigation 22 Elective Courses Marine Electronics 125 Marine Electrical 28 Marine Communications 10 Engine Maintenance 145 Sail 90 Weather 93 Cruise Planning 53 Instructor Qualification 39 Seminars 509 Grand Total 10,327
