Mary Openbottom

The idea of a Club bar in the shape of a boat originated with P/C Dan Kraft in early 1953 when he purchased a popular plywood cruiser hull made by Richardson Boat Company. The bottom half of the hull was cut away and the sides braced into the semblance of a boat in the bar room. Harry Smith, a regular bar and Club patron, personally engaged the services of an expert cabinetmaker and boat builder who worked on the bar for several months, crafting the teak decks, rails, under-bar cabinets and the Pilot House back bar. This work was all donated by Harry Smith, and several other parts were likewise donated by interested members. The bar was christened on October 10, 1953 by Vice-Commodore "Shorty" Holzworth and given the informal name of "Mary Openbottom".