One Hundred Years on Biscayne Bay
1887-1987
In early February 1887, a resident of Coconut Grove by the name of Kirk Munroe, a writer of boys’ stories, thought that a boat race on Biscayne Bay would be a wonderful way to celebrate Washington’s Birthday. This was the scenario from which the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club evolved.
In just one week, Kirk Munroe, with the help of Ralph Munroe (no relation to each other), Tom and Ed Hine, put together a race on Washington’s Birthday, that ended with a gathering of about 50 people for fish chowder. This tradition is observed on February 22nd every year. It was the beginning of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club.
The first race comprised a fleet of fifteen boats, with six dinghies, six yachts under 35 feet and three over 35 feet.
In May of 1887, Ralph and Kirk Munroe reviewed the local response to the race and decided that the area was ready for a yachting club. Shortly after, a small group of boatmen gathered at the Peacock Inn. Ralph M. Munroe was named Commodore, and Kirk Munroe was named Secretary of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club. Ralph designed the Club Burgee. It is the traditional triangular yachting burgee of red and blue. Inside the red area is a 25 with a large N superimposed on it. This insignia was adopted because Biscayne Bay is 25 degrees North of the Equator, the N signifying North. The first Burgee was made by Mary Munroe, the wife of Kirk.
About the same time, Kirk and Ralph wrote up the By-laws and the Constitution.
There could not be a first meeting that summer because many of the potential members were “winter people” and had gone North for the summer, so the first formal meeting was not held until February 18th, 1888.
In 1888, Commodore Munroe leased from the U.S. Government, the old abandoned Cape Florida Lighthouse, which was to serve as a temporary clubhouse. The lease expired in 1895.
The first permanent clubhouse, in 1892, was the second floor of Commodore Munroe’s boathouse where it remained until 1905. It then moved into its own building, a two-story structure built on pilings on the end of a dock, a few feet southwest along the shore from the original site, but still on the Commodore’s property
In 1909, with the help of member Henry M. Flagler, another new Clubhouse was built on the bayfront that was then known as N.E. 1st Street. This site was used until 1925, when the construction of Bayfront Park forced the Club to close its facilities, and find another location.
The following year the Club leased a very elaborate two-story building constructed by the Florida East Coast Hotel Company, on the fill at S.E. Second Street at the Bay. Unfortunately, this location had very limited space for boating, and the September hurricane of 1926 damaged much of the Club’s personal property and records. This was also the “bust” of the boom days, which forced many members to sell their yachts and resign from the Club. When the Bank of Bay Biscayne closed its doors, it wiped out what little was left of the Club’s treasury, forcing a drastic reduction in activities. It has been said that the former house in the Grove, was sold for $1.00.
For about six years a group of loyal members held meetings in Commodore Matheson’s office on S.W. Second Avenue and the Miami River.
In 1932, Commodore Hugh Matheson, Sr. was instrumental in obtaining the present property on South Bayshore Drive, in Coconut Grove, and financed the Clubhouse which was designed by Walter DeGarmo.
Since its founding in 1887, Biscayne Bay Yacht Club has held its annual Chowder Party every February 22nd. During the early days, the Chowder Party was held at the Davis property on the point of Cape Florida. Since that time it has been a tradition to hang large cast iron pots, for preparing the chowder, over a charcoal fire. At the firing of the large brass cannon, the Commodore and all past Commodores, along with the Officers, march to the front of the huge cast iron pots, and officiate by “tasting of the Chowder.” It is then served to the members and their guests.
When Commodore William J. Matheson was elected in 1912, the Chowder Party was held at the Commodore’s estate, “Hacienda”, on Key Biscayne, where the guests ate under the shade of palm-thatched huts, and the dancing took place in the packing house used for coconuts. It was held there until the sale of the property in July 1950, with the exception of several years during the war when gasoline was rationed. At that time the Chowder Party was held on the front lawn of the Clubhouse.
In 1952, the site was down the bay at Boca Chita Cay, and from 1953 to 1980, it was held at several sites on Key Biscayne, such as Hurricane Harbor, a cove at the western end of the Key owned by the Coniga Co., No Name Harbor, the Grover Loening Estate, and the Pines Canal.
From 1980 to 1992, the site had been the Charles Deering Estate on south Biscayne Bay. After Hurricane Andrew hit Miami in August, 1992, the Chowder Party was moved to the north side of the Miami Marine Stadium lagoon. In 1997, the party was held at the Miami Seaquarium. Since 1998 the party has been held at No Name Harbor, now owned by the State of Florida and named for former member Bill Baggs.
One of the oldest and continuing traditions is the fact that all members and guests are requested to participate by going by boat only. For those who do not have their own transportation, a Club boat is usually provided.
On February 22, 1987, which was the 101st Chowder Party, the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club celebrated its Centennial Year. The event was the largest ever, and was attended by over 950 people, including members and their guests, who arrived at the Charles Deering Estate on a fleet of 85 boats.