History

March 5, 1870

When yachting in Massachusetts was in its infancy, twelve successful businessmen “imbued with the true yachting spirit,” met at John Heard's home; a stately brick mansion on 3 Park Street in Boston, close to the State House with its golden dome and the famous Park Street church. On this evening the gentlemen created and organized themselves as the Eastern Yacht Club for the purpose of encouraging yacht building, naval architecture, and the cultivation of nautical science.

The Clubhouse

Within a month of meeting, the gentlemen had enrolled 110 members with 23 yachts. Already known as the "Birthplace of the American Navy," Marblehead was chosen for the location of the clubhouse with construction being completed in 1881. Marblehead became the homeport to some of the most beautiful schooners and steamers to be built during this time, establishing itself as ‘the yachting capital of the world.’

From the Beginning

The Club took a leadership position in every facet of yacht racing. The 94-foot sloop Puritan, flying the Eastern colors, successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1885 against challenger Genesta of the British Royal Yacht Squadron. This victory marked the first of three successful Cup defenses against the British by Eastern yachts in as many years—an extraordinary feat. Mayflower answered the challenge of Galatea in 1886, sending her packing in light air off New York. And in 1887, steel cutters Volunteer and Thistle engaged, and Volunteer, owned by Eastern member General Charles Paine, gained victory for America once again in a stunning defeat.

Prominent Members

The club’s roster of members boasts revered names across the ages in yacht racing such as Charles Francis Adams, skipper of Yankee; Chandler Hovey, whose J Class Yacht Rainbow and Twelve Meter Easterner graced America’s Cup trials; Bradley Noyes, whose Tioga's gained multiple victories, and the legendary Ted Hood, winning skipper of the 1974 America’s Cup aboard the 12 Meter Courageous. 1n 1993, Hood was elected to the America’s Cup Hall of fame. Committed from its incorporation to superior naval architecture, the Eastern's membership has included such celebrated yacht designers and builders as Edward and Starling Burgess, Nathanael and L. Francis Herreshoff, Ray Hunt, and Ted Hood.

Celebrating our History

In 2020, we celebrated our 150th anniversary. Our collections in the Clubhouse will take you from the glorious days of the huge racing yachts to the present-day designs. Our trophy cases display such treasures as the Puritan and Lambert Cups, and Cleopatra's Barge trophy. A visit to the Eastern is a walk through yachting history!