32 Years of Sailing!

The first NSA burgee from an early letterhead.

The Neuse Sailing Association, Inc., is now entering its thirtieth year, making it one of the oldest active sailing clubs of its type in North Carolina.

Records of the NSA start with the Articles of Incorporation signed on 20 February 1973 by Joseph H. Cox, Andrew P. Denmark, and Joseph O. Sargent.

Secretary of State Thad Eure certified the Articles on 13 April 1973.

Listed as the first six directors were:

• Joseph H. Cox
• Elizabeth A. Cox
• Andrew P. Denmark
• Mary J. Denmark
• Howard M. Ellis Jr.
• Joseph O. Sargent.

The purposes for which the NSA was originally organized were:

To promote activities of a social and recreational nature, including, but not limited to, the operation of other kindred endeavors. To conduct such private club for the best physical and moral welfare of the members thereof. To enable the members to gather together for the mutual benefit and enjoyment into an athletic and social group. The development of the art and science of sailing, the acquisition of knowledge of the theory and practice of seamanship, navigation, and allied subjects; and the furthering of this purpose by promotion and encouragement of races, regattas, and cruises.

The By-Laws set forth by these founders carried the NSA through the first twenty years. The By-Laws were updated under the administration of Past Commodore Frank Wilson and continue serve the association today.

Was there an NSA before the incorporation documents? Yes!!

We thank Leslie Evans for the following:

The Oriental Yacht Club conducted a spring series and, I think, a fall series of races in 1970. I was the race chairman. Most who raced were not members of the OYC. I have found the invitation for the spring series and a list of the eight boats and their uncorrected times for the very first race.

The 1970 OYC spring series schedule was 25 April, 9 May, 23 May, and 6 June. 20 June was the make-up day. The invitation stated in part, "...After each race all entrants are invited to tie up to OYC Dock for a rehash and beer. (Cost to be shared by all those participating.) A trophy will be presented to the skipper with the winning point score at the end of the Series. (Four races, one throw out.)..."

The eight skippers were Joel Clark, Collins, Holland, Joe Cox, David Evans, Charlie Gryb, Guy Hughes, and Herb Rikker.

In 1971 Joe Cox, Charlie Gryb, and I decided to move the races from the OYC to a new organization, the NSA.

So now know how and when the NSA began. We again thank Leslie for the information. The NSA was incorporated two years later in 1973.