THE SS FLEET TODAY

THE SS FLEET TODAY
SURVIVING FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS
Bellport Regatta, circa 1908
Centennial Celebration - July 4, 2008
Westhampton Yacht Squadron
Remsenburg, Long Island, NY
SSs SAILING AT THE CENTENNIAL
SS 3 – 1914, Willie Ringhoff, Eastport. Skipper: Willie, Crew: to be determined.
SS 13 - Friday 1926, Peter Fenner and Richard Fenner, Remsenburg.
Peter and his nephew Richard will alternate as skippers.
SS 22/M boat – Teal , c. 1921-1928, Hamp Smith & Cheri Smith VonStetina,
East Moriches. Cheri and her brother Hamp will alternate as skippers.
SS 41 – Alligator 1924, Peter and Christopher Halstead, Remsenburg. Skipper: Peter,
Crew: son Christopher.
SS 46 – 1924, Tracy Storer Cast, East Moriches, owner.
Skipper: Stephen White.
SS 47 – Old Soak 1924, Rick Clifton, Brooklin, Maine.
Crew either Rickʼs wife Jane Cuthbert Clifton or his brother Charlie Clifton. They will be sailing in
memory of Harry and Joyce Cuthbert.
SS 48 – Blue Blazer 1924, Roger Dunkerley and Chris Hale, Center Moriches.
Skipper: Roger, Crew: Chris.
SS 53 – Random, 1924, Robert and Laura Millstein, Briarcliff Manor, NY.
Skipper: Bob, crew: daughter Laura.
SS 68 - 1928, George Gregory, Center Moriches.
SS 70 –Adelaide 1928, Ted Conklin III and Arma Andon, Jr., Sag Harbor.
Skipper: Ted, crew: Arma.
SS 72 – Bambino, 1928, Larry Pasciutti & Son, Center Moriches. Skipper: Larry,
crew: son Billy, age 9.
SS 76 - Spirit of ʼ76 1929, Capt. George Sandberg and David DeJohn, Center
Moriches. Skipper: George, who has never raced. Crew: Son-in-law David, who has only sailed
once. “Our goal is to stay upright,” says George.
SS 84 - Tuthill Point 1930, Danny Kammerer, East Moriches. Skipper: Dan and
Rick Betts alternating, crew: Dannyʼs son Joe Kammerer, daughter-in-law Jamie Kammerer,
grandson Jack Kammerer.
SS 89 – Heron 1939, Chic Voorhis, Port Jefferson.
Skipper: Chic, crew: his wife Michelle.
SS 96 - Fiji, 1931, Roger Holzmacher and Family, Babylon.
Roger, his wife Daisy, son Ian and daugher Grace will alternate as skipper and crew.
SS 105 – Sandpiper, 1934, Cheryl Sullivan and Susan Perpura, Westhampton
Beach. Cheryl and Susan are racing in the name of Sis Rice and Louise Rice Baker.
SS 106 - Widgeon, 1935, Paul Graf and Alexa Kaufman, East Moriches. Skipper:
Paul, crew daughter Alexa.
SS 107 - Gull 1935, Jennifer Truscott and Jillian Truscott Buchanan,
Westhampton. Skipper: Jennifer, crew sister Jillian.
SS 111 – Patricia Ann 1936, Tim Rumph and Caroline Rumph, Southampton.
Skipper: Tim, crew: daughter Caroline.
SS 116 – Fey 1937, James Ewing,Jr., Watermill, and John Ewing, Westhampton.
Skipper: Jim, crew: brother John.
SS 119 - The Yellow Peril, 1937, Robert Halstead, Remsenburg.
Skipper: Bert Halstead, crew: sister Deb Halstead and dad Robin Halstead.
SS “120” – [unidentified boat given the # of a long-gone SS] James Simes,
East Moriches. Skipper: Jim Simes, Crew: his cousin Sharon Lorenzo.
SS 121 - Loon 1938, Polly Theban, Remsenburg, and Eleanor “Boo” Dix
Bistrian, Amagansett. Skipper: Polly, crew: Boo.
SS 122 – Honey 1938, Kim Storer Cook and Tracy Storer Cast, East Moriches.
Sisters Kim and Tracy will alternate as skipper and crew.
SS 123 – Mary Jean 1938, Betsy Sherman Brewster and Emily Brewster,
Canton, CT. Skipper: Betsy, crew: daughter Emily.
SS 128- Moonshine 1939, Kit Scopinich Jayne and Family, East Quogue.
Skipper: Kit Scopinich Jayne, crew: Fred Scopinich, Jr. Other family members will alternate.
SS 130 – Skid, 1939, George Carmany, Quogue, and Albert “Abby” Connett IV,
Liberty Corners, NJ. Skipper: George, crew: Abby.
SS 133 – 1941, Brian Ringhoff, Eastport. Skipper: Brian, Crew: TBD
SS 135 - Swallow, 1941, Robert Dudley, Eastport.
SS 137 – Bob White 1941, Quiogue. Louise and Bob Dunbar, Quiogue.
Skipper: Louise Morgan Dunbar, Crew: husband Bob Dunbar.
SS 139 - See You Later 1941, Sandra Halsey Surgan and Halsey Surgan,
Westhampton. Skipper: Sandy, crew son Halsey.
SS 143- Bubbles, 1948, Scott Apmann and the Apmann Family, East Moriches.
Skipper: Scott, crew a medley of Apmanns depending on how strong the wind is. Options include
mother Lee, brother Todd, or Alex Apmann (10) or Anne Apmann (13).
SS 148 - Out Of The Blue 1951-1961, Janet Scopinich Jurgielewicz, Mark
Randazzo and Timothy Jurgielewicz, Manorville. Alternating Skippers: Janet and her
cousin Mark, crew: Janetʼs son Timothy.
SS 150 – Two Sisters 1961, Naomi, Noel and Paul Haines, East Moriches.
Skipper: Naomi, crew sister Noel and grandfather Dziadzi [Paul].
SS 151- Sea Sprite 1961, Diane Herold and Ernie Davis, Westhampton. Skipper:
Diane, crew husband Ernie.
SS 153 – Perseides 1962, The Dalmasse Family, East Moriches. Alternating
skipper(s): Denise, Deb and Chris. Crew: Dalmasse children.
SS 156 - Ghost 2008, Beecher Halsey III, Beecher Halsey IV, and Laura
Halsey, Westhampton. Skipper: B3, crew: son B4 and daughter Laura.
SS?-1 –Unidentified, Beecher Halsey III, Westhampton.
Skipper: Jim Sanders, crew: to be determined.
THE CENTENNIAL FLEET: 38 SSs Registered for July 4th.
THE SURVIVORS
SSs Known To Exist as of June 24, 2008
SS 3 – Built in 1914, owned by Willie Ringhoff, Eastport.
[The first nine boats, 11-20 omitting 13, were built in 1908, numbered so as to
make the starting fleet appear more numerous than it really was.] SS 3 is under
cover in a barn in Eastport. Rumor has it that SS 3 is at Bob Dalderʼs Out East
Classic Boat Company for a “face lift” in preparation for the Centennial.
SS 5 – 1914, Roger Dunkerley, East Moriches.
Partially restored by Roger, available for sale May 2008 @ $1500. Hull has a new
stem, six new frames. Has centerboard and spars, needs a new deck and
cosmetic finishing.
SS 8 – Eight Ball, 1914. LI Maritime Museum, West Sayville.
Donated by Ed Dalmasse and the Hansen family to the LI Maritime Museum,
now on exhibition at the Islip MacArthur Airport in Islip, Long Island. Hole in
bottom but could be restored.
SS 13 - Friday, 1926, Peter and George Fenner, Remsenburg.
Built in 1926 by Benjamin Hallock as the 60th SS, superstition having prevented
the #13 from being assigned when it should have been, in 1908. David Atwater
was the first owner, Richard Fenner the second. The boat has been in the Fenner
family ever since and now belongs to Richard Fennerʼs nephews, George and
Peter Fenner. The boat is still raced each summer at the WYS by “assorted
nephews, daughters-in-law and sons of the third generation,” says Peter, who
now sails a Flying Scott.
22-M boat – Teal, c. 1921-28, Ron Barnish, Quogue.
Was Cheryl and Hampy Smithʼs boat, that they sailed with their cousin John
Smith as crew. Built as an SS but re-designated as an M boat, along with several
other SSs, when it was found to have been built with a sub-standard design.
SS 26 – 1926-28, Anthony Bonner, Westhampton, and Charles Seamans,
Quogue.
Stripped for restoration, held together by clamps as of May 9, 2008. Converted at
one time to an M boat, #6.
SS 41 – Alligator 1924, Sandra Halsey Surgan, Westhampton.
Restored by her father, Beecher Halsey, Jr., in 1999. After layers of sticky
fiberglass and old paint were peeled and sanded off, Beecher and Sandy found
the deep red paint indicating that this boat was the Lipstick, built in 1924 and
once owned by, among others, Norman Findley (who won many racing
championships with it) and Louise Raynor (who used it for a commercial
enterprise, each day bringing home bushels of clams in the cockpit).
SS 44 – 1924, Matt Brink, SUNY Maritime Academy at Fort Schuyler.
“The hull is a little rough,” says boatbuilder Roger Holzmacher, “but
the deck is good and solid and is helping to hold it together.” Matt has
laminated replacement frames which have not yet been installed.
SS 46 – 1924, Tracy Storer Cast, East Moriches.
“It is sailable,” says Tracy, who bought 46 from Seth R. Jagger, Jr. “When we
bought it it had an outboard [motor] bracket on her transom.” The bracket was
removed, leaving SS 46 to find its way once again with only sail-power. Former
owners include Philip Boutillier, Henry Fullen, R.C. Stroud and Wesley and
Charlotte Phillipson.
SS 47 – Old Soak 1924, Rick and Jane Clifton, Brooklin, Maine.
Formerly Bruce Driverʼs Bluebird, campaigned with great success at the
Quantuck Yacht Club and at Association races. Renamed Old Soak, the boat
now lives in Maine, where Rick is the service manager of the Brooklin Boat Yard.
Was Ted Shuttleworthʼs boat, given to Rick and Jane in 1986, rebuilt in Brooklin,
Maine. All three of Rick and Janeʼs children have sailed the SS to many island
picnics in the Maine waters. Former owners include Donald Kipp, Edward
Holden, Harry Cuthbert Jr., James Dana, Bruce Driver and Ted Shuttleworth. SS
47 will be raffled off to a new owner on July 4th, 2008, during the Centennial
festivities.
SS 48 – Blue Blazer 1924, Kevin McLaughlin, New York City.
Restored by Roger Dunkerley at the Suffolk County Maritime Museum [since
renamed the LI Maritime Museum] in the 1980s. Currently residing in Jonathan
Raynorʼs barn in Eastport. In excellent condition. Former owners include Natalie
Follmer, Norman Thomas, Ted Councilman, Cory Reynolds and Tobey Oxholm.
On July 4, 2008, SS 48 will emerge from the barn where it has been sleeping for
the past 20 years.
SS 53 – Random 1924, Robert Millstein, Briarcliff Manor, NY.
Bob Millsteinʼs father gave him Random for his 10th birthday in 1962. Bob sailed
the boat every summer for the next 10 or 12 years, but then it sat on cinderblocks
for years in his parentsʼ driveway, neglected and unused. When Bob moved to
Briarcliff Manor he brought the boat with him, with no plan to sail it, but, he says,
“Dad had given me this boat and it was my last connection with those wonderful
summers spent on the East End.” He joined the Shattemuc Yacht Club, just north
of the Tappan Zee Bridge, and now sails SS 53 on the Hudson River. Former
owners include William Burrows, Herb Culver Jr., Frank Driver Jr., Eleanor Dix.
Annetta Horton and Fred Scopinich Jr.
SS 59 – 1924, William A. Tuthill, Jamestown, Rhode Island.
Built in 1924 for Willʼs grandfather Harald Raynor Tuthill, #59 has been in the
Tuthill family ever since Benjamin Hallock built it, passing from Harald to his son
Ansel, then to Anselʼs son Will. The boat survived two major storms underwater,
the 1938 hurricane and a more recent 70mph Rhode Island storm. The SS now
lives in an outdoor berth at the Museum of Yachting at Fort Adams in Newport,
RI, where she is on display with other antique boats. In his free time, Will teaches
his two daughters how to sail SS 59 on Narragansett Bay.
SS 67- 1926, Stanley Abrahamsen, Center Moriches
Uncovered recently after 30 years under wraps outdoors, it is in poor repair but
can be fixed. Former owners include Allen and William Mark, Frederick Jagger
Jr., and Mary Foster.
SS 68 – Built in 1928. George Gregory, Center Moriches.
Rob Dudley reports that George “did a very nice restoration of this boat which
even included an old-time seat that fits over the combing to the toe-rail that he
moves from one side to the other each time he tacks to try to make the SS more
comfortable. This is a feature some old-timers of the past had on the old
catboats.” Former owners include Frank Speir, Rab Staniford, William OʼGorman,
Stephen Tiebout and Peter Seibert.
SS 70 – Adelaide 1928, Ted Conklin III, Sag Harbor.
Owned in the 1930s by the Funk family (of the Funk & Wagner dictionary), who
took it up to the Adirondacks to sail. During World War II the Funks stored the
boat in a barn, where it remained for decades until Will Tuthill found it and took it
to Jamestown, Rhode Island, for restoration. Will sold it to Ted Conklin III, a
former Quantuck Yacht Club sailor who now owns and operates the American
Hotel in Sag Harbor. Ted sails the SS every summer, often in Association or
Southampton Town regattas, with his childhood pal Arma Andon, Jr.
SS 72 – Bambino 1928, Larry Pasciutti, Center Moriches.
Originally built for Audrey Ayers in 1928 and later owned by Mary Beers and
Betsy Pflug, among others, SS 72 lay abandoned and unclaimed in a corner of
the Eastport Marina when Larry Pasciutti bought it in 2003. He is restoring the SS
for his son, who will race it at the Centennial.
SS 76 - Spirit of ʼ76 1929, Capt. George Sandberg. Center Moriches.
George bought the boat from his neighbor Ray Richmond and has had it restored
by Fred Scopinich – new ribs, new stem, new keelson, new spray and rub rails,
new mast step, centerboard refastened, transom repaired – so that he will have a
boat to sail in the Centennial. “This boat can go another 100 years,” he says. “My
goal now is to teach my grandchildren how to sail on it.” Former owners include
Otis Davey, Bud Simes, Jane and Peter Kenny, Jeff Leek and Ray Richmond..
SS 79 – 1929, Long Island Seaport & Eco Center, Port Jefferson.
To be restored in the museumʼs Bayles Boat Shop. Given to the LISEC by Chic
Voorhis. Former owners include Jack Cerf, Harry and Nancy Steeger and John
Altman.
SS 81 – 1930, Ellen Warner Slough, Hunter, NY.
The boat lives in Eastport at the home of Ellenʼs mother, Betty Warner, and is in
very poor shape. Ellen is reluctant to part with the SS, because her grandfather
gave it to her and the family hopes to restore it. Former owners include Mary and
Barbara Gill, the Birdsall family, Kitty Murphey and Betty Warner.
SS 82 – 1930, Libby Fannon, New Suffolk.
Judy Beiling Kreh gave the 82 to her daughter, Libby. “Itʼs in pretty bad shape,”
says Judy. Former owners include Reggie Cauchois, Joan Rothwell, William
Falconer, Maggie and Otis Bradley and Yrene Jagger.
SS 83 - 1930, Edward “Skip” Batcheller, Jr., Westhampton.
The boat is warm and dry, living in a metal storage shed in the woods in
Westhampton. Skip reports the boat needs a full rebuild, however. Former
owners include H.T. Donlon, Helen Allen and Seth Jagger, Jr.
.
SS 84 - Tuthill Point 1930, Danny Kammerer, East Moriches.
Built in 1930 for Standish Medina, 84 was named the Mariposa (after a certain
species of butterfly that skims over the water). Owned now by Danny Kammerer,
she lives in East Moriches on Tuthill Point.
SS 89 – Heron 1939, Chic Voorhees, Port Jefferson
“I have SS 89 that I got from Robert Kleiman back around 1993. We used to
fully rig it, sails and all, and tow it to fairs and festivals during the early days of
LISEC [Long Island Seaport and Eco Center] fundraising and getting the word
out.” Previous owners include Helen Allen, Jack Benjamin, William Pedrick,
Donald Cruse Jr., Ansel Tuthill and Stevie Scopinich. SS 89 will sail at the
Centennial.
SS 96 – 1931, Roger H. Holzmacher, Babylon.
Formerly owned by Harold Connett, who bought the boat in 1934 from the
Searles brothers. The family named the boat the Fiji, and each of the four
Connett sons -- Ace, Hugh, Bert and Hartley -- took the helm in turn. With one
Connett or another at the helm, the Fiji made most every starting gun from 1934
to 1952, and never missed a Race Week. At some point in time she belonged to
Tracy Storer Cast of East Moriches, who sold her to Roger Holzmacher, a skilled
woodworker who is in the process of restoring the boat. Roger expects the boat
to be ready to sail by July 4, 2008.
SS 98 – 1932, John Sargent, Lake Bluff, Illinois, and Quogue.
Named Mirage, SS 98 was thought to have been long gone. The boat has
recently been “found” hiding in a Quogue garage, where it has been housed,
protected from the elements, for over 35 years. John raced the boat in the late
1950s and early 1960s at the Shinnecock Yacht Club, participating in numerous
moonlight races and several Race Weeks. He reports that the boat is in
remarkably good shape but would need work to be sailable. Former owners
include Susan and Betty Guile, Lester Dunn and Frank Wadelton.
SS 100 – 1932, Roger Holzmacher, Babylon.
Owned for many years by the Lederman brothers -- Matt, Seth and Eli. They sold
the SS to Roger, who is a boat builder and wants to restore #100 for his children.
Other former owners include William Swan, Gay Klipstein, Carol Moller and
William and Maurice Rapf.
SS 102 – 1932, Fred Reaver, Westhampton.
In the Schroeder/Horton family for its entire life until recently and formerly named
the Geo-Ann, for George & Annetta, then shortened to Joan. Young George
Schroeder and his sister Annetta Schroeder rescued this boat during the 1938
hurricane. Three generations of Schroeders campaigned the boat at the
Shinnecock Yacht Club, winning many championships. Their mother Annetta
Schroeder (1898 – 1978), her daughter Annetta Schroeder Horton, and her
granddaughter Helen Annetta Horton collected and maintained much of the
invaluable SS information that the SS Association relies on today. [SS 102 is the
last SS built by Ben Hallock. SS 103 was the first built by Ollie Howell.]
SS 104 – 1934, Bill Honan
According to Ward Doerschuck, this is the SS that Ward, Bud Childs, John
Fenner and (unknown first name) Young, all World War II veterans, sailed around
Long Island in 1946, after they returned home from the war. Other former owners
include George Brainard, Stephen Ensko and Peter Clifton.
SS 105 – Sandpiper 1934, Janet Loughlin Rubin, Remsenburg.
Last in the water 15 years ago, this boat was given to Janet by Chad Burgess.
Bob Dalder of Outeast Classic Boat Company in Calverton is restoring the boat
for Janet, who will keep the SSʼs original name, Sandpiper. Built in 1934 by Ollie
Howell for Edward Maynard III and his sister Barbara [Maynard Gnaedinger].
Janet says, “I am sure [Bob Dalder] will get it done in time even if I have to lock
him in his shop! Oh, did I mention I donʼt know how to sail?” SS 105 is registered
to sail at the Centennial festivities.
SS 106 - Widgeon 1935, Paul Graf, East Moriches
Built in 1935 by Oliver Howell for 10-year-old Hamilton Smith, this is the boat that
Ham Smith still honors nightly. “So attached did I become to Widgeon,” says
Ham, “that to this day my martini pitcher gets one hundred and six swirls of the
swizzle-stick which, as a blessing, melts a bit more of the ice-cubes.” Paul Graf
has raced the 106 in Association and Town regattas in recent years. Previous
owners include Hamilton Smith, Ann Graydon Smith, John Hejinian and Robert
Haskell.
SS 107 - Gull 1935, Jennifer Truscott, Westhampton.
Built in 1935, Gull was owned for its first 30+ years by Gordon Dudley, one of the
founders of the SS Association who was known as “Mr. SS.” Today SS 107
belongs to Jennifer Truscott, the former owner/host of Remsenburgʼs historic
Hidden Mill Bed & Breakfast.. Jennifer has had Gull repaired and plans to sail it
in the Centennial Celebration.
SS 108 – 1935, Dave Phillips, East Quogue
“In pretty good shape but does need some work,” says the SS Association. This
is Larry Maynardʼs old Tern.
SS 109 – 1935, Willie Ringhoff, Eastport
Former owners include Carol and Lewis Pounds, and Lee and Arthur McClement.
SS 111 – 1936, Tim Rumph and Raymond “Chip” Rumph, Jr., Southampton.
The two brothers found the SS in the summer of 2007 in an antique storage barn
in Moriches, and Fred Scopinich is restoring the boat for the Centennial. Built by
the Rumph brothersʼ great-uncle Oliver Howell (“Uncle Ollie” to the boys) in 1936,
SS 111 will be in the water and racing on July 4th. Former owners include
William Bohner, Peter Godfrey, Eleanor Dix, and Elizabeth Martin.
SS 112 – 1936, Willie Ringhoff, Eastport.
Former owners include Janet Walling, S. Henry, John Griffith, John Savidge and
Tony Leness.
SS 114 – 1935, Dr. Maurice Carter, Alden Lane, Quiogue.
The 114 lives today just a few hundred yards from the site of the old Quantuck
Yacht Club. It lives, warm and dry, in Dr. Carterʼs garage on Alden Lane.
Formerly known as Dizzy Dog, this is the boat that Quogue resident George Post
sailed around Long Island. Other former owners include Robert and Lillian
Westaway, Amby Carr, and Peter Sartorius. The boat needs work to be sailable,
but Fred Scopinich is making it surface-pretty so that it can spend the summer of
2008 on the lawn of the Tuthill House Museum, as an advertisement for the
Westhampton Beach Historical Societyʼs SS exhibition.
SS 116 – Fey 1937, James Ewing,Jr., Watermill.
Once Lois Kimballʼs boat, the Fey was Jim Ewingʼs childhood boat. Around
1970, Jim sold it to Ralph Schank who gave it to Rob Dudley in the late 1990s.
Rob gave the 116 back to Jim Ewing in 2006 so that Jim can restore it in order to
teach his nieces and nephews how to sail.
SS 119 - The Yellow Peril 1937, Robert Halstead, Remsenburg.
The boat was built in 1937 for its current owner, Robert “Robin” Halstead.
Nephew Peter Halstead reports that the Yellow Peril was last sailed 3-5 years
ago. It is safe in the Halsteadʼs barn “and is definitely not a flowerpot!” The boat
is being repaired for the Centennial. Charlie Burgess and Robin won the Smith
Point Race with the 119 in 1939 or so when they were 14 or 15-years-old, and
then they won it again 30 years later, in the same boat. Whoever said you canʼt
relive your childhood?
SS “120” - Jim Simes, East Moriches.
Unidentified boat given the # of Cory Reynoldsʼ “deceased” boat.
Danny Kammerer got the boat from Gert Roulette from Quogue, but she never
knew what number it was. Danny says, “It has a glassed bottom, good shape,
new sails, and curved hull line at the bow. A great boat!” He sold it to Jimmy
Kullen who gave it to Willie Ringhoff who gave it to Jim Simes. And no one along
the way could figure out what number it really was or who built it or when it was
built or who the owners were prior to Gert. Such is the mystery of an SS when the
original number was never carved into the centerboard and when the boat no
longer has its original sails.
SS 121 - Loon 1938, Polly Theban, Remsenburg.
A survivor of the 1938 hurricane, the Loon was originally owned by Jane
Niebrugge before John Theban bought it for his daughter Polly in the mid-1950s.
John did all the repairs and the yearly preparation on the SS until he was well
into his 90s. He died in 2001 at the age of 94, and in his honor, Polly has had the
Loon professionally restored in preparation for the SS Centennial. After a year in
rehab, SS 121 floats once again in the same protected cove that has been her
home for more than 50 years.
SS 122 – Honey 1938, Karin and Chuck Storer, East Moriches.
The 122 was built by Ollie Howell and Howard Welsh for Ollieʼs daughter Jane,
who was a dear friend of Karin [Hansenʼs.] After the ʼ38 hurricane the Howells
moved to Sea Cliff, NJ, where Jane died at a young age. Chuck bought the boat
for Karin and brought it back to Moriches Bay, where Karin and Chuck have been
sailing it ever since.
SS 123 – Mary Jean 1938, Betsy Brewster, Canton, Connecticut.
Built in 1938, sailed on Moriches and Quantuck Bays by former owners: Regina
and Joan Rothwell, Jenny Prosser Robinson, and Bill Stone. Bill Stone gave
SS123 to Betsy Brewster , the daughter of Bud Simesʼs sister Jean, and her
family. The Mary Jean resides in the hills of NW Connecticut on a trailer and
sails many ponds and lakes in that area. She is also hauled to Watch Hill, RI
where she sails Fisher's Island Sound and Little Narragansett Bay, and is often
towed behind the family tugboat to favorite anchorages for longer jaunts. The
Mary Jean will return to her birthplace for a short visit in order to participate in the
SS fleetʼs 100th anniversary.
SS 125 – 1938, Richard Goss, Remsenburg.
Has had all the frames replaced, and the stem. Stem needs to be trimmed to
proper size. Has original mast step with 125 carved into it and a new set of sails,
including spinnaker. For sale May 2008, with SS 124, for $2800. Former owners
include Robert and Charles King and Walter Kidde II.
SS 128- Moonshine 1939, Fred Scopinich, Jr., Hamptons Shipyards, East
Quogue.
Moonshine will sail in the Centennial, with a third-generation Scopinich SS
skipper at the helm. Painted an evening color in honor of the Prohibition business
that gave the Scopinich boatyards their first commercial success on the East
End, Moonshine has been meticulously restored by the master craftsman
himself. Former owners include George Carmany, Bob Murray, Robert King, Jr.,
Bobby Bossung and Jim McDermott.
SS 130 –Skid, 1939, Marguerite Post Rich, Quogue
Built originally for Peter Clifton, who named the SS Squeak, the 130 has been in
Marguerite Postʼs family since the late 1940s. Marguerite inherited the boat from
her brother Robert Skidmore Post (“Skid”), after his untimely death at the age of
17. She never named the boat because her brother never got around to choosing
a name, but, on the occasion of the Centennial, she has finally given SS 130 a
name, Skid, in honor of her brother. Still owned by Marguerite, one of the
Shinnecock Yacht Clubʼs best competitors and winningest skippers, SS 130 will
be skippered in the Centennial race by George Carmany.
SS 133 – 1941, Willie Ringhoff, Eastport
Bought by Willie in 1968, SS 133 is, he says, “in the best shape of any boat out
there.” In 2008 the boat will be launched for the first time in 40 years. Former
owners include B. Benziger, Pieter Greef and John Schiemann.
SS 135 - Swallow, 1941, Robert Dudley, Eastport.
The Swallow belonged to Frank Driver Jr. and David Driver before Rob Dudley
bought it. Rob may hold the record for taking an SS the farthest away from its
home port, when he towed the Swallow across country to the state of
Washington for what proved to be a temporary visit. While he was crossing the
desert in Arizona he picked up two hitchhikers, Navajo Indians who thought the
sight of a white man crossing the desert, not in a covered wagon but in a
sailboat, was hilarious. To pass the time as they motored through the cacti and
blowing sand, the Indians taught Rob how to say “I love my boat” in Navajo.
Swallow winters in Dorothy Dudleyʼs Quiogue garage and is in fine shape.
SS 137 – Bob White 1941, Louise Morgan Dunbar, Quiogue.
Built in 1941, the Bob White has remained in the Morgan family for its entire life.
Louise reports that it is in quite good shape and while she continues to sail it
every summer, especially across Quantuck Bay from her house on Alden Lane to
the beach, she questions whether it is “in racing condition.” However, Bob White
will sail in the Centennial, with Bob and Louiseʼs son Stuart at the helm.
SS 138 – 1941, Denise and Deb Dalmasse, East Moriches.
One of the last SSs built before World War II, the 138 was built in 1941 for D.
Badenhausen of Quogue and was originally named Hunkie II. The Medina family
bought it shortly after World War II ended and named it the Merry Ann for their
two newborn granddaughters (after four grandsons}. The boat was passed to the
Cliftons, and then to the Dalmasses. It needs work to be sailable, says Denise.
SS 139 - See You Later 1941, Sandra Halsey Surgan, Westhampton.
Restored by Beecher Halsey, Jr., for his daughter Sandy, the 139 wears the
brass nameplate of Lil Gosnellʼs long-gone SS 11. Years ago Beecher had made
the mistake of putting Lilʼs old SS -- which she had given him and which he
planned to restore -- back behind his greenhouses, alongside an old rowboat that
heʼd decided was too far gone to be worth bothering with. He told Charlie, one of
his employees, to take an axe and chop up the rowboat and take it to the dump.
When Charlie came back and told his boss heʼd done a doubly good job, that
heʼd not only chopped up the nasty-looking rowboat, heʼd also chopped up that
other nasty-looking boat, Beecher knew he was never going to restore SS 11. He
rushed to the dump and retrieved the handcut brass letters from the transom, and
these are the same letters, See You Later from 1908, that the beautifully restored
SS 139, finished in 1996, wears today. Previous owners include Henry and
Richard Beers.
SS 140 - 1944, Willie Ringhoff, Eastport
Previous owners include Jack Danes, J. and T. Clark and M. Marvin.
SS 142 – 1946, Anthony Bonner, Westhampton.
In poor shape. Built in 1946 by Louis Howell. Previous owners include Frederick
Alling Jr., William Gill, Rick Betts, Elise Cooper and Dale Raynor.
SS 143- Bubbles 1948, Lee and John Apmann, East Moriches.
Built in 1948 SS 143 was owned for many years by Gardner Simes and his
family. Gardner named the boat Cotton Top after his curly-haired daughter
Nancy. Renamed Bubbles, it now belongs to Nancyʼs cousin Lee Simes Apmann
and her husband John, who continue to race it on a regular basis. All three of
their sons -- Chris, Scott and Todd -- raced the boat successfully at the WYS.
Scott still sails the SS in the Association races, and in 2006 three generations
shared the cockpit: Lee Apmann with son Scott and grandson Alex.Scott will
skipper the boat in the Centennial race, with a crew made up of an amalgamation
of other family members.
SS 144 – 1950, Chris Dalmasse, East Moriches.
Before passing to Chris, the boat was owned and sailed for many years by Bud
Simes and his children Lee and Jim. Jim sailed it with Bud the first summer Bud
owned it, and they won almost every race, if not all of them, that year. After Bud
and Cecile Simes sold their house in East Moriches, they gave the boat to Chris
Dalmasse. The boat is not in good shape, according to Lee. Other owners
include Hubert Betts, Patricia Murray, and Diane Post.
SS 147 – 1951-61, Greta Lane, East Moriches.
Previously owned by Marion and Helen Birdsall and Gregory and Ted Kent.
SS 148 – Out Of The Blue 1951-61, Janet Jurgielewicz, Manorville.
Mario Scopinich, of the illustrious Scopinich boatbuilding family and owner of
Hampton Boatworks in Hampton Bays, has restored SS 148 for his daughter
Janet “Missy” Jurgielewicz. Janet currently sails a Sunfish, but she says sheʼs
been waiting a long time for a chance to race an SS, and will be at the helm in
the Centennial Celebration. Previous owners include Elizabeth Wadelton, Clifford
Cramp, Louise and Marty Baker, and Tom Baker.
SS 150 – Two Sisters 1961, Naomi Haines, East Moriches.
Despite living outdoors, uncovered and upright, for more than 40 years, the boat
that teenager George Sandberg finished in the 1960s has survived. “It has a
chance to be resurrected from the flowerpot status,” George says. “I have given it
to Fred as partial payment for work being done on #76. If there is any chance that
something can be done with it Fred is the man that can do it. I would love to see
her sail again.” SS 150 will sail again. Fred Scopinich restored the boat for Paul
Haines, who bought the SS for his two granddaughters Naomi and Noel. Known
as Dziadzi to his grandkids, Paul will crew for the girls in the Centennial festivities
– after he gives them sailing lessons.
SS 151- Sea Sprite, 1961. Diane Herold & Ernie Davis, Westhampton.
Built in 1961 by Howard Welch, the boat was found by Anthony Bonner, who
gave it to Diane Herold. Sea Sprite has been beautifully restored by Fred
Scopinich and was the centerpiece of the Westhampton Historical Societyʼs float
in Westhamptonʼs 2008 St. Patrickʼs Day Parade. Previous owners include Billy
Watson.
SS 152 – Thanks Dad, 1961-62, Greta Lane, East Moriches.
Named Thanks, Dad, the boat is in very bad shape. Previously owned by George
Horton, Jr.
SS 153 – Perseides 1962 , Ed Dalmasse family, East Moriches.
[Chris, Deb, Denise and the late Canute Dalmasse]
Ed Dalmasse had the 153 built, and it is one of the last SSs. It has been in Ed
Dalmasseʼs family ever since, and is now owned jointly by his four children. “My
mother (Adele Hansen Dalmasse) named her Perseides,” Denise writes,
“following her tradition of naming our boats after Greek goddesses. Perseides
was (I am told) the goddess of the shooting stars. Our Egg Harbor was the
Persephone (goddess of the underworld). Persephone was only allowed to come
ʻupʼ from Hades for a portion of the year. We figured it was summer ʻcause thatʼs
when we saw her...” SS 153 is in good shape and lives comfortably in the
Dalmasseʼs East Moriches boathouse, snuggled up next to SS 138.
SS 155 - The Barry-A 2000, LI Maritime Museum, West Sayville.
A museum exhibition boat., constructed by a band of museum volunteers to
preserve an important element of Long Islandʼs maritime history.
SS 156 - Ghost, 2008, Beecher Halsey III, Westhampton.
Built by Beecher Halsey III and finished in 2008, “The Last Real SS” is named
Ghost. Constructed out of the same kind of materials used by Benjamin Hallock,
eg hackmatack, white cedar and other often hard-to-find woods. A brand new SS
for the boatʼs 100th birthday -- who would have believed it was possible?!
SS?-1 – “Buddyʼs Boat” [working title]. Unidentified: Given to Beecher Halsey III
by Southampton resident James “Buddy” Burnett September 2006. Bought in
1963 by Edwin Burnett from “someone west of Southampton.” Buddy restored
the boat years ago, after which it sat unused until 2008 when Beecher rigged it
and registered it for the 100th anniversary. An interesting note: Beecher reports
that the SS came with an unused set of cotton (i.e. original) sails. The boat will
sail at the Centennial with a mainsail adorned with the number ?-1.
SS?-2 – Unidentified SS currently being restored by Roger Dunkerley, Center
Moriches.
KNOWN SURVIVING SSs: 65 of the 156 SSs that have been built.
THE SS FLEET TODAY: Surviving For One Hundred Years,
published June 24, 2008 -- Compliments of Bob and Meredith Murray
Compiled and written by Meredith Medina Murray.
For e-mail copies of the Program, contact Meredith at
631.860.4711 cell, MeredithMurray@optonline.net.