A HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
THE PORT DOVER SQUADRON

An extract from the early minutes of the Port Dover Power and Sail Squadron.

Back in the early 1930’s, Canadian yachtsmen who sailed the international waters around Detroit, found United States clubs, and the Detroit Yacht Club in particular, the centre of boating activities for these waters. Thus many Canadian sailors from the border cities joined the Detroit Yacht Club.

It was there, they met enthusiastic members of the United States Power Squadrons and learned of the navigation and other allied courses of the USPS. Unfortunately, however, these courses were open only to United States citizens.

In 1935, the Windsor Yacht Club was founded and many of the same Canadian sailor men rallied to the support of the new club. That winter, instructed and examined by USPS members, a group of Canadians passed the Junior Piloting examination and founded the Windsor Power Squadron, thus forming the nucleus of what was eventually to become the Canadian Power Squadron.

By 1939, Windsor had blossomed, and word of its work had spread to Sarnia and London, Ontario where other squadrons sprang into life.

Officers from these three squadrons met at Chatham, Ontario, on the 14th of October 1941, and there the Canadian Power Squadrons had its birth. Constitution and By-laws were adopted, lecture courses standardized and steps taken so secure recognition from the Dominion Government.

By this time however, Canada had been in the Second World War for over two years and the rank of various squadrons were badly depleted by enlistments. Eligible prospective members were so scarce, the CPS almost expired before it had really seen the light of day.

In 1946, the various squadrons began to stir once more. A large new squadron was organized in Toronto. Another in Halifax formed the first salt water unit. The fires of squadronism were really kindled anew.

The Dominion Government finally granted the Canadian Power Squadron it’s official charter in 1947, thus the organization was registered under the Companies Act. The following year, a copyright was granted covering the official flag of the Canadian Power Squadrons.

The first Annual Conference of CPS was held in Toronto, at the Royal York Hotel, in November of 1949 with representatives from Windsor, London, Port Dover, Toronto and Hamilton making the event a great success. An exhibition of navigational gadgets and a photo contest aroused considerable interest and a pattern was established for another important phase of squadronism.

By 1950, the urge to study and acquire proficiency in boating skills had become so great among members of the Squadrons, that a Training Department was formed, headed by a director and a representative from each existing squadron.

In 1955, the first squadron to be established on the West Coast was chartered in Vancouver. The following two years witnessed phenomenal growth and six more squadron came into being.

By 1958, the rapid expansion of CPS necessitated the formation of Districts, each with it’s own District Commander and Training Officer. Districts became operative at the Annual Conference in 1959.

CPS acknowledges a deep dept to the USPS for continued help in connection with the training program, both the inception of CPS and right up to the present time. A close liaison is maintained between the two organizations that we might do a good job better.