Governance

Founded in 1858, the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia is the oldest amateur athletic governing body in the United States. At the first organizational meeting in October, 1858, the following clubs were represented: America, Camilla, Chebucto, Falcon, Independent, Keystone, Neptune, Pennsylvania, and University. Nautilus and Quaker City joined later that month. Half those clubs went out of existence during the Civil War.

Today, the Schuylkill Navy comprises the clubs of Boathouse Row and it's newest member, the boathouse of St. Joseph's University and St. Joseph's Prep:

• Fairmount Rowing Association
• Pennsylvania Barge Club
• Crescent Boat Club
• Bachelors Barge Club
• University Barge Club
• Malta Boat Club
• Vesper Boat Club
• College Boat Club
• Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association (Penn AC)
• Undine Barge Club
• Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Club (PGRC)
• Gillin Boat Club

By charter, "its object is to secure united action among the several Clubs and to promote amateurism on the Schuylkill River."  Each club sends a delegate to the monthly meetings and the clubs elect the officers of the Schuylkill Navy at the January meeting. The present officers are:

• Commodore - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Penn AC
• Vice Commodore - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Vesper
• Secretary - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , University
• Treasurer - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Bachelors
• Quartermaster - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Crescent
• Log Keeper - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Undine

The Schuylkill Navy conducts four regattas annually.

• Stotesbury Cup Regatta - 3rd weekend in May
• Schuylkill Navy Regatta - Day before Father's Day
• Independence Day Regatta - Friday, Satruday & SUnday of the 4th of July weekend
• Philadelphia Youth Regatta - second or third Satuday in July

The Schuylkill Navy also runs the annual Schuylkill Navy Run (or Turkey Trot) on Thanksgiving Day.  The 2012 edition of this 5 and 5/8 mile run will be the 107^th annual running. The first race, in 1899, was won by C. T. Barrow of the Pennsylvania Barge Club in a time of 34:10.

In 1938, Louis Heiland, then Secretary of the Schuylkill Navy, published "The Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, 1858 - 1937". While the book is out of print today, portions of it have been published here.  "The Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, 1838 - 1958", by Charles F. Cain, Vice-Commodore, 1955 to 1957, was published in 1960.