John E Pether

The History of Sarasota Sailing Squadron John E Pether

What you are about to read is a history of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron (a.k.a the Squadron, the SSS or the club) from its humble beginnings in the late 1930s, when a group of teenagers got together to form a "down to earth" sailing club on the City Pier, which was the center of Sarasota. After its first Commodore, Walter Fox was elected in 1942, the club was disbanded as members were either called up or volunteered to fight in the Second World War. They returned in 1946/47 as seasoned veterans to raise families. It was these folks and their families that restarted the club and laid the foundation for the wonderful club that we know today. I will take you through the vibrant life that members of the Squadron enjoyed in those days, as they partied at the Lido Beach Casino, dancing, drinking and selecting the Labor Day Regatta Queen, or celebrating the change of watch at the annual Commodore's Ball, held at the Tropicana Night Club, a location which exists today as the Three Senorita's restaurant at 1355 Main Street. We will see how members in the "old days" made their own fund in the small dinghies that they owned as they enjoyed overnight cruising and camping on the mosquito infested spoil banks at the north end of Sarasota Bay near Jewfish Key and the Mar Vista Pub, catching fish for the evening meal and combining their catch into a cast iron pot with potatoes, onions and spices to create a fish stew for all to enjoy. In June 1958, as the city of Sarasota expanded and developed, with plans to demolish the old City Pier, the club was moved to the desolate lands of City Island near the New Pass bridge. The Squadron's only neighbor at the time was WSPB radio station which had begun transmitting from City Island at 7 am on December 7, 1939.