United States Power Squadrons Condensed from the USPS Operations Manual (1995) Recreational yachting in the early 1900s was largely confined to sailing craft and large steam yachts manned by professional crews. Gasoline-driven craft were coming into their own by 1909, but with little enthusiasm on the part of out-and-out sailors. Yacht clubs taught and promoted the sport of sailing and as motor yachts joined the fleet there were few activities for them to enjoy. Yachting was still for sailors and the new breed of power-boat men found little or no fun in club cruises and racing. Roger Upton was a sailing member of the Boston Yacht Club in 1909 but, unlike so many other sailors, he was captivated by the newfangled power boats. How long the idea incubated in Upton's mind we'll never know but in the summer of 1911 he spread this thoughts before a small group of his colleagues. His idea was for a club within a club, to embrace a select group of "gasoliners" who would develop such forms of cruising and racing as the new type of yachts allowed. To quote from one of his articles, "To my mind the organization can be of use to yachtsmen for three major reasons: first, improvement in navigating ability of power-boat owners; second, promotion of acquaintance and social intercourse by the power-boat owners; third, the fitting of power-boat owners to be of possible use to the Navy in time of war so that they might be received as volunteers should they so desire." Roger Upton was elected Rear Commodore of the Boston Yacht Club in 1912 and with the acceptance of his ideas was placed in charge of the unofficial Power Boat Division of the fleet. Upton was soon keeping the division's 36 members busy with studies, cruises, races and drills. On 14 October 1912, a letter from Rear Commodore Roger Upton was read by the Executive Committee of the Boston Yacht Club, petitioning the club to officially establish his Power Boat Division. The Executive Committee granted the petition unanimously. At the club's annual meeting in January 1913, the name was changed to "Power Squadron" and the club within a club was officially recognized. A three page story in Yachting magazine spread the news of the Boston club's activities and other clubs began to make plans along the same lines. In June 1913, additional interest was generated when Charles F. Chapman, associate editor of Motor Boating magazine, gave the idea a full page story. Amid great interest by the yachting community, in November of 1913 the Boston Yacht Club called 30 delegates representing 70 clubs and associations of power boat owners to assemble at the New York Yacht Club for a conference to consider the formation of power squadrons. A meeting of the newly organized Power Squadron Conference Committee was held on 5 December 1913 and an outline of what was suggested at the meeting was forwarded to all who were interested. A second Conference Committee meeting was called for Monday, 2 February 1914 at the New York Yacht Club, and during the evening the final work of organizing and launching the United States Power Squadrons was accomplished. That meeting included representatives of squadrons and yacht clubs from Maine to Maryland. The organization was made complete with the election of the following officers: Chief Commander, Roger Upton, Boston; Vice Commander, Holman Day, Portland; Rear Commander, Worthington Scott, New York; Treasurer, Charles Chapman, New York; and Secretary, Bryan Perman, Boston. The motorboat was gaining in popularity, and squadrons grew both in number and in size. USPS was incorporated on 19 February 1915. A year later at the annual meeting in New York City, a large volume of business was acted on by delegates representing 470 members in 15 squadrons. As the squadrons grew in size and number, the internal educational program developed to keep pace. By January 1917 a Junior Navigator course was developed and was published in installments in The Ensign for the members of the twenty squadrons. A navigator course was also established and included a review of all that the candidate had ever been taught. On 6 April 1917, the United States declared war on Germany and with the coming of hostilities, Charles F. Chapman sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt, volunteering the entire USPS instructional program for the training of men for naval coastal defense. Secretary Roosevelt accepted the proposal with gratitude. In New York City, four free nautical schools were established and according to remaining records more than 3,000 students enrolled. Similar schools were organized by local squadrons in Boston, Detroit, Newburgh, New Haven, and Washington D.C. Over 5,000 men who had attended these classes entered the armed services and, based in significant part on the quality of their USPS training, many were appointed officers. Thanks to Roger Upton's interest in the early motor yachts and his tireless effort to gain recognition for his fellow "gasoliners" , as well as his efforts to organize them for social fraternity, the United States Power Squadrons were officially founded on 2 February 1914. And thanks to the resulting organization's interest in promoting both self improvement of the member's boating skills and the civic service of providing nautical training to the general public, USPS enjoys a long, proud history. The Chicago Power Squadron It is not possible to record the establishment, development and history of the Chicago Power Squadron without establishing and understanding the founding, growth and development of the United States Power Squadron which supplied and continues the support which makes the growth and development of the Chicago Power Squadron possible. Both organizations have a common purpose and serve to support and strengthen each other for local, national and public good. The purpose and common effort, supplied by a membership that is voluntary is the Furtherance of Education and Safety in Recreational Boating. The History of District 20, USPS
 Click here to view a Map of the District Squadrons In 1956, five squadrons, Quad City (chartered in 1941), Chicago (1945), Illana (1953), Evanston (1954), and Kenosha (1954), all members of District 10, formed a new District to be known as District 20. The first District Commander was Paul G. Warren, AP, and our first District Conference was held in 1957, drawing from a total membership in these five squadron of 748 ( of which 474 belonged to the Chicago Power Squadron). St. Louis Power Squadron (chartered in 1955) joined the D/20. Transferring from D/30. Then, Waukegan (1957): Clinton (1958); Des Moines and Calumet (1960): Decatur, Michigan City and Skokie Valley (1961); and Rockford and Chain-0-Lakes (1962); Kansas City (1962);Cedar Rapids and Racine (1964); DuPage and Fox Valley (1970); Land of Lincoln (1971); Jayhawk(1972); and Illinois Valley (1973) the D/20 had 23 Squadron with 3,000 members in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa. A District Division was formed with the squadron west of the Mississippi River becoming District 30 in 1975. With Quad City (1956) and Mid Illini (1975) brings District 20 to its current 17 squadron total.
Chicago Power Squadron
Editors note: The date of the above article is unknown. Kenosha disbanded leaving D20 with 16 Squadrons. The DB2000 showed D20 to have 1734 members during January of 2003.
In the year 1938, Thomas B. Hurd of Milwaukee who had known of the USPS Educational work throughout the East contracted R/C Lee Nelson of Toledo District #7 and V/C Wm. Anderson of Detroit District # 9 requesting information as to the procedure necessary in securing literature of USPS educational program with the idea in mind of the eventual formation of a Squadron in Milwaukee. There were at that time no USPS Squadrons in the United States west of District #9 Detroit. R/C Lee Nelson agreed to forward T.B. Hurd a few student Manuals and advised him that if these interested yachtsmen after having thought that they could pass the USPS E.P. Examination, and made application for the Examination papers, that they might become "members at large" of the USPS. These men met and studied in the office of Oscar Haase and Sam Weller and at the Milwaukee Sea Drome of which T.D. Hurd was manger. Finally ten men wrote successful Examination and these men became members at large of the USPS in 1939. On 6 April 1939, a Charter was issued by the USPS to Milwaukee Power Squadron. Subsequent trips were made to Toledo and Detroit District # 9 by these men. The Charter members of Milwaukee Power Squadron names appear on this Charter. A photostatic copy is in the archives. Milwaukee Power Squadron then became a squadron of District #9. On 14 October 1939 P/C/C Commanders, Herild Funk and Wesley Morse attended a dinner held at the Republican Hotel. V/C Anderson presented Certificates. Dr. Huderle of Duluth during this period, who had been Navigator aboard S. C. boats bound for the Brooklyn Navy Yard from Duluth contacted V/C Wm. Anderson regarding the USPS Educational program. he was sent E.P. outlines and after ten men had studied and written successful USPS E.P. Examinations a Charter was issued to Duluth Power Squadron on 27 June 1939 which Squadron was also attached to District #9. A photostatic copy of this Duluth Charter Members is also in the hands of Dr. Arthur Huderle Commander. A short time later a group of yachtsmen in Green Bay who were intently interested in the USPS Educational program passed the E.P. Examination and a USPS Charter was granted Green Bay Power Squadron on 20 February 1940. A copy of this charter is in hand showing names of the Charter members, W.W. Morrison, Commander. Green Bay Squadron was also attached to District #9.
At a subsequent meeting of District #9 in Detroit R/C Lee Nelson advised Thomas B. Hurd Commander of Milwaukee Power Squadron that he would recommend to the G/B of the USPS that District #10 be formed. In the spring of 1941 District #10 was formed approved by G/B of the USPS.
This District #10 was composed of:
Duluth Power Squadron
Green Bay Power Squadron S/C Thomas B. Hurd of Milwaukee Power Squadron became the first R/C of District #10. In February, 1941 the Milwaukee Power Squadron and Green Bay Power Squadron obtained the USPS 1941 display booth which was in New York January Boat Show for display at the 1941 Chicago Motor Boat Show at Navy Pier. This display booth was manned by R.B. Hurd and Bert Loomis and other Squadron members from the Milwaukee And Green Bay. The purpose of this exhibit in Chicago was to interest Chicago Yachtsmen in the USPS Educational program. The display accomplished its purpose, for when a Mr. Temple Nieter of Milwaukee Power Squadron, a stream boat devotee whose kin folk must go back to Robert Fulton of steamship history moved to Chicago. He , in 1942 with help from Milwaukee and Green Bay members together with National Headquarters, interested certain Chicago Yachtsman in the formation of a Chicago Power Squadron. After USPS E.P. Examinations were passed by a qualified number of men, a USPS Charter was granted Chicago Power Squadron on 18 March 1945. This squadron was attached to District #10. The names of the Charter members of Chicago Power Squadron appeared on the Charter. Photo copy which is in hand.
During the first year of district #10, 1941, a successful rendezvous was held in Green Bay waters.
The Squadrons participating were: Through the good offices of R/C T.B. Hurd the "Ernn" -"Subar11"-"Ja-Be-Ya"-"Emdon" and "Dodo" of Milwaukee. The " Nancy Jane"-"Bivill" - "Ann-Belle" an" Raindeer" of Green Bay Power squadron were accomplished by the U.S.C.G. cutter "Nancemond" under the Commander of Lt. Sutter. The : Nanccemond" Accompanied the fleet as escort during the entire cruise. The rendezvous was at Sturgeon Bay on 7 July 1941 and the fleet made the ports of Marinette, Escanaba, Washington Island, Fayette, Ephrim, Chambers Island, and back to Sturgeon Bay, terminating the first District #10 cruise on 12 July 1941. T.B. Hurd served as R/C District #10 for over two years, 1941, 1942, 1943, after which S/C W. W. Morrison, Commander of Green Bay Power Squadron was elected as the second R/C of District #10. To serve in 1944 and again in 1945. These were the years of World War II and squadron boating activities were quite restricted due to rationing of gasoline. However the Educational activities proceeded "Full Steam Ahead". At the spring Conference of 1946 P/S/C Howard Craft was elected to serve District #10 as its R/C for 1946 and again for the year 1947. During 1946 the G/B of USPS ruled that the District R/C's were henceforth to be ranked as district Commanders.
Chicago Power Squadron activities were phenomenal. At a District Conference held at the Chicago Yacht Club in March 1947 ( the night of the big storm) D/C Howard Craft presented USPS Certificates to a group of men, including such names as Fred Jones, Warren Hutchings and Hugh Hutchings, as well as many others, who were sincerely dedicated to the advancement of the USPS Educational program. Respectfully submitted by, P/D/C Howard Craft, Historian
Chicagolog April 1965 (Editors Note: This story is excerpted from the 11th Anniversary of the Chicagolog. The Chicagolog information was supplied by P/C Al August who while rummaging thru his files found an old Chicagolog issue.) Note: ( We greatly appreciate the help P/C Temple Nieter, AP, gave us in getting the facts on the history of the start of the Chicago Power Squadron). This year we celebrate our 11th Birthday. Let us go back thru the pages of time and relive the origin of Chicago Power Squadron. There were two men namely P/C Temple Nieter and P/C Stewart Gretzinger with the same thought in mind ( starting a Squadron in Chicago). However at first they were not aware of each other, or his dream. In 1941 P/C Temple Nieter, a member of the Milwaukee Squadron, and a member of the National Expansion Committee was transferred to this city by his firm. At once he began the spade work, which started one of the forces of the movement. In 1943 classes were held in Milwaukee in Piloting, and from this group some six or eight persons carried on the task of what lay ahead. Meanwhile P/C Stewart Gretziner's love for the water found him at the lake-front often. It was one of these trips to the lake-front that made his heart jump with joy. For lo and behold there he stopped and Ensign flying from the mast of the Reliant, owned by our L/C Richard R. Novotny, and his father. Dick at the time was in service, so Edward Kostievy, a member at large of the USPS, Helped Dick's Dad handle the Reliant on many trips. While doing so he proudly flew the ENSIGN from the yard arm. We are told "Stu" burnt leather that day to find out who was the skipper that flew that ENSIGN>>> and he did. They met and talked Squadron, and thus became the other force in the drama. How the two forces met no one is sure, but they did at Little Jack's restaurant on Madison Street. For the first time we have them working together with real plans to accomplish, what so far was but a dream. In the fall of 1944 the first Piloting Classes were held at the Field House on Chicago Avenue. The group attending were in response to an AD in the Chicago Tribune. From this enrollment some 25 later became members. With the ground work done a Charter was applied for, and on March 18th, signed by 13 names, the squadron was formed. In looking through our present membership list, we can only find the names of Edward Kostlevy and Daniel B. Nelson amongst them. The others have since gone to new horizons or other squadrons. The Inaugural Dinner was held at Martin's on LaSalle St. The first Commander was none other than "Temp" Nieter, who later became the first Commander of Evanston. He has the distinction of being the only one in USPS of serving as charter Commander twice. "Stu" Gretzinger , and "Temp" Nieter again collaborated, and this time the birth of the publication, the "Chicagolog" was announced. We can now look back and see what great progress was made from so humble a start: and pay tribute to those fine men who went before us to lay the foundation, upon which we who follow can build the finest squadron in USPS, without exception, namely the Chicago Power Squadron.
Editors note: Richard Novotny provided the following: The Chicago Power Squadron was born on Richard R. Novotny's father's boat the "Reliance" a 36ft. Burger. It all happened at the Chicago Yacht Club dock in the summer of 1944. The four founding fathers were Temple Nieter, our first commander, Stuat Gretziner, our second commander. Edward Kostlevy, and Roy Jelinek.
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