The Sydney Amateur Sailing Club (SASC), founded in 1872, has a proud history that remains strong today. Tucked away in Mosman Bay with direct access to the water, the club offers a welcoming environment for all sailors. With dedicated volunteers and a lively social calendar, SASC continues to connect people who share a passion for the sea. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just beginning, the club offers opportunities to learn, race, and be part of a dynamic community.
The Archive Project (AP) is a work in progress, aimed at preserving the rich history of our club and its members.
Fred Bevis, Honorary SASC Member since 1971, SASC Commodore 1995 – 1998, has played a pivotal role in compiling details of past and present members, their boats, and the placement of SASC books. His dedication ensures that our legacy is documented and accessible for all.
Additionally, we acknowledge Peter Hamilton for creating most of the Index and Alice Murphy for her technical support in establishing the Hyperlinks. Together, their contributions enhance our archives, making it easier for members to explore our storied past. We appreciate their hard work and commitment to keeping the SASC history alive!
The Archive File (AF) is a list of members and their boats from 1872, however, it is not a complete list. We are asking for your help to add records of past members and their boats or to correct entries if you have additional information. Please send details through using the email address archives@sasc.com.au If you have a document that might help expand the earlier years’ details make copy or take a photo of it and attach it to an email. If you would like to advise any changes or additions to the archive files please complete the form: Archive Maintenance Form
Archive File (AF) column headings and sources used to create it.
The primary source of information is past Annual Reports (AR). The Club holds a copy of the 1932 AR and all years from 1954 through to 2020. The SASC published book “The Amateurs” is a significant source of member names and boats as it details the founding members, and includes a listing of members and boats as at the Jubilee year, 1922. It also contains numerous other references to members and their boats over the first 100 years.
The SASC Archive File can be scrolled through or saved onto your computer and printed. Two versions are available and each file contains about 4,000 records. If printed both sides, it’s about 45 pages.
The files and a description of the column headings can be viewed or downloaded below :
Click to view SASC Honour Boards – updated 24th January 2025
Click to view SASC Archive File by length of membership – updated 24th January 2025
“The Early Years” contains details recorded in ‘The Amateurs” book (page # ref. in black) and Trove articles (ref. in Red). both sources cover 1872-1881 the first three commodores. It is in date order (YYYYMMDD).
Indexes to The Early Years by date or by event can be viewed or downloaded on the links below. The indexes provide details of the sources of the article, “The Amateurs”, “Trove” and the Volume and page number in “The Early Years”.
Click to view Index The Early Years by date – 30 March 2022
Click to view Index The Early Years by event – 30 March 2022
Additional information on SASC can be found in our newsletters which date back to 1960. Click here to view
The two SASC books “The Amateurs” (CB) and “The Second Century Begins” (SC) have been digitised and can now be read as a flip book online or downloaded as a PDF file. An index for each book and a combined index has been created and is also below to assist with your use of the books.
Each index can be scrolled through to search for a member, boat or topic. When found it will show the page number and the Book Part Number Reference. The Book Part reference is needed as it has been necessary to split the books into a number of smaller sections to allow a manageable file size for downloading from the website.
As the documents are in PDF format, it is possible to search an index electronically. After selecting the “magnifying glass” icon, enter a member or boat name in the “search box”. The matching index entry/s will be highlighted. If you need help to help to master this method, contact Fred Bevis at archives@sasc.com.au .
The Combined Index file contains hyperlinks which link to “The Amateurs” and “The Second Century Begins” books. You can open the Combined Index PDF then use the “search” function to find the name of a member, boat or topic and select the hyperlink (last column) to take you directly to the book section then “search” it for the text of your interest.
Click to view the Combined Book Index with Hyperlinks – Updated 13th September 2021
Click to view the individual Sections within Book 1
The Amateurs Book 1 Part 1 (cover to page 31)
The Amateurs Book 1 Part 2 (pages 32 to 55)
The Amateurs Book 1 Part 3 (pages 56 to 83)
The Amateurs Book 1 Part 4 (pages 84 to 108)
The Amateurs Book 1 Part 5 (pages 109 to 137)
The Amateurs Book 1 Part 6 (pages 138 to 166)
The Amateurs Book 1 Part 7 (pages 167 to 1960
The Amateurs Book 1 Part 8 (pages 197 to cover)
The Amateurs Book 1 Supplement 1973
Any queries, contact Fred Bevis archives@sasc.com
Click to view the individual Sections within Book 2
The Amateurs Book 2 Part 1 (cover to page 10)
The Amateurs Book 2 Part 2 (Pages 11 to 22)
The Amateurs Book 2 Part 3 (Pages 23 to 31)
The Amateurs Book 2 Part 4 (Pages 32 to 52)
The Amateurs Book 2 Part 5 (Pages 53 to 77)
The Amateurs Book 2 Part 6 (Pages 78 to 94)
The Amateurs Book 2 Part 7 (Pages 95 to 132)
The Amateurs Book 2 Part 8 (Pages 133 to cover)
In the northern entrance of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron are 59 paintings of prominent members. Lawrence Herbert Beecroft completed the paintings between 1908 and 1933. A member of the Albert family is thought to have engaged Beecroft.
Thirty relate to SASC members who were prominent Yachtsmen, major contributors to Sydney’s development, and both clubs.
John Maclurcan completed the essays for the Squadron on all but one subject. David Payne completed the Walter Reeks essay, the famous naval architect. John, who finished the work in April 2016, completed a mammoth task. John Jeremy expertly photographed the paintings.
John Maclurcan has generously produced a subset of his original book covering just the 30 paintings of the members of both clubs. It is now on the SASC website and can be scrolled like the other books.
Each version of the SASC Members’ Archive contains hyperlinks to their essay.
Background
Several subjects of the paintings sailed the 21-foot Restricted Class used in interstate competition in the 1920s. The three major clubs, the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, and the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club, formed a committee in 1919 to discuss the type of boat, and class rules were finally agreed upon in 1921. The 1922 Forster Cup in Sydney was held in the 21-foot Restricted Class.
The Herald, September 8, 1922, reported.
‘The new class of boats has come to stay, and Lord Forster’s interest in the sport has been inspiring.’
Lord Forster, The Herald, 29 September 1921.
‘I believe that anyone who can afford 300 pounds can build a boat to take part in the races which will be sailed for the trophy I am going to present.’
Forster Rt Hon. Lord, PC, GCMG – Governor-General of Australia 1920 to 1925
SASC Life Member 1921 – 1936. Winner of the Kelly Cup in 1923 and 1925.
Beecroft’s Caricatures PDF link
Do you have any additional information for our archives?
Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a beginner, SASC offers a welcoming community, expert guidance, and thrilling adventures on the water!
We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney Amateurs Sailing Club to enjoy sailing seasons, regattas, social events, and the camaraderie of fellow enthusiasts!
Members are requested to have their vessel name clearly identified.
All items left in the lockers are left at the owner’s risk.
To cancel your booked locker space, you will need to provide 4 weeks’ notice by email to office@sasc.com.au.
Members are requested to have their boat name clearly identified on their dinghy.
To cancel your booked dinghy space, you will need to provide 4 weeks’ notice by email to office@sasc.com.au.
Got a big one? Maximum Size: H 600 x W 1300 x L 2300
All items and dinghies left in the space are left at the owners risk.