Upper Hudson Navy
The proposed upper Hudson navy will, in a few weeks, be an established institution. It is not to be antagonistic to or in rivalry with the national association, but will be organized simply for racing purposes, to meet the wants of clubs in this vicinity, who prefer competing in a regatta under the management of a competent committee, to the vexatious and ineffective system of club challenges. A convention will soon be held at which the date of the regattas, the style and length of the various races, and the condition of membership will be determined. The following delegates have already been chosen:
Ulysses club of Troy—A. N. Belcher, R. N. Richards and Walter N. Thayer.
Mutual of Albany—Charles H. Thomas, Henry W. Garfield and K. Stanley Foster.
Cohoes rowing club—Frank T. Hastings, Geo. A House and Wesley Miller.
The Olympics of Albany, Wolvenhooks of Greenbush, Filleys of Lansingburgh, and Watervliet of West Troy are also expected to send delegates, but have not as yet appointed them. The course likely to be selected by the association is on the Hudson river at Troy, above the state dam. It is justly considered one of the finest in the country, and is free from the swarm of troublesome tug boats, which make the Albany waters so unpopular with visiting clubs.
Troy Daily Times. March 5, 1877: 3 col 7.
—Delegates from the various boat clubs in this vicinity that desire to join the upper Hudson navy, will meet at the city hall to-night for the purpose of effecting a permanent organization.
“City Notes.” Troy Daily Times. April 12, 1877: 3 col 1.
Last night the executive committee of the Upper Hudson navy met in the city hall for the purpose of perfecting their organization, by the election of officers. The following were chosen:
President—Charles H. Thomas of the Mutual boat club, Albany.
Secretary and Treasurer—R. R. Richards of the Ulysses boat club, Troy.
On application, the Laureate boat club of this city was admitted into the association, and an adjournment was taken till the first Thursday in May. It is rumored that the Saugerties boat club will, at the next meeting, present an application to be admitted in full membership.
Troy Daily Times. April 13, 1877: 2 col 6.
In 1877, through the instrumentality of the Mutual Club, a convention of the rowing organizations of the Hudson River above Poughkeepsie was called, and the Upper Hudson Regatta Association was formed. In the three years of the association’s life the Mutuals won the championship in junior singles, once; in senior singles, once; in double sculls, three times; in pair-oared shell, once; in six-oared gigs, twice, and in four-oared shells, twice. In consequence of the continued success of the two Albany clubs the association was disbanded and the Upper Hudson Navy composed of the same clubs, with Albany barred, was formed and still exists.
A History of American Amateur Athletics and Aquatics. NY: Outing Company, 1888. 248.