History of the Club
by Greg Strand (11/2003)

 This historic Club was founded December 20, 1880 by an eight-man group of local ice yachtsmen, who gathered in a back room of a building at 3 East Front Street, which was operated as a Tailor Shop by James B. Weaver. A Club House was made because of increased membership. The old original clubhouse stood to the rear of the Monmouth Boat Club.

 The original building was of historical value being the Old Sea Bright Railroad Station, which was disassembled and hauled to the present location. The Ice Boat Club was moved westward across to the present location approximately 1923. This was accomplished by the leadership of Andrews S. White, the Club Treasurer. The land where it was moved was purchased by a group of members headed by Thomas Irking Brown, President of the Club, also its President Emeritus.

 As years passed by, financial stability improved and good racing prevailed, investing in stocks and bonds, sponsoring fairs in the summer, donating money to help finance bulkhead and renting grounds to Monmouth Boat Club for storage to keep the Ice Boat Club going.

 Activities over the years have embraced all sizes and typed of ice yachts - from Class I Stern Steers, 500 sq. ft. to 1,000 sq. ft. of sail area, to the Mosquito Class under 175 sq. ft. In old days from Lateen - to Gaft - to Marconi Rig sail rigs to Front Steering Boats.

 Different classes of boats used were from 1^St Class and 2^nd Class boats (approximate size of 40 to 50 feet in length. Only parts of one Class One "The Rocket" remain today under restoration and reconstruction by Club Members. Rocket was stored under the Club House since turn of the century.

• Class Three (A Boats) approximately 30-35' long, 350 sq. ft. of sail area - most numbers remaining of larger boats - approximately 30 are surviving - with about 20 race ready.

•  Class B - approximately 28-30', 250 sq. ft. of sail - a few survive today - not very popular in the early days.

•  Class C - 175 sq. ft. - very popular both in old days and today - approximate size 20-22' long - easily stored - many survive today.

•  Class D, E Mosquito Classes - very desirable - small 12-15' easily stored. Many survive today.

 The Scud was the most famous of iceboats. Raced with superior results as a Sloop Rig winning many pennants - the Van Nostrand Trophy in New York Hudson River in 1888. In 1885 the Scud’s estimated speed was clocked at 107 mph on the Navesink.

 Dreadnaught was another famous early boat. "Scud" was owned and sailed by Weaver and "Dreadnaught" by James Doughty. Both were foremost in the organization of the North Shrewsbury Ice Boat and Yacht Club.

 In later years the "Georgie" owned and sailed by Capt. Charles P. Irwin and "Drub" and "Imp" - built and sailed by Charles Burd were outstanding. 

Following them were the "Daisy" owned by Edward Asay and Lateen rigged "Wizard" owned by George Gillig - carried Club honors for a long time.

For a number of years, following the Say When, Phantom and Now Then, were all outstanding boats owned by Commodore Weaver.

George Gillig also had two Buckhoudt boats built in Poukeepsie Boat Yard that were very fast "Pirate" and "Eskimo".

A few old names remembered at Club early history Reuben White, Oscar Hatchet Brand, Harry Clay, Douglas Hoyt, Everett Asay, Ira Crouse, and Del Fisher. 

Some races of importance - Commodore's Race - Weaver Cup - Class A Challenge Pennant - Twin Rivers Championship - Long Branch and Red Bank, and New Jersey State Championship.