MOTORBOAT CLUBS

MOTORBOAT CLUBS. In 1916, Dubuque had two motorboat clubs. The Dubuque Motor Boat Club had 125 members while the Lake Peosta Motor Boat Club had 65. More than two hundred boats were owned and operated by members of the two clubs. Some were considered speed boats while others were "cruisers" and ordinary flat-bottomed boats with gasoline engines.

The Lake Peosta Club offered several cruises and picnics for the entertainment of its members. The club also claimed to have one of the best landing places for motorboats along the MISSISSIPPI RIVER. This was a "float" 20 feet wide and 500 feet long anchored at Lake Peosta between Seventh and Ninth STREETS. In the middle of the "float" was a shelter which offered protection from rain or the sun. On one end of the "float" was a hoisting machine that allowed boats to be lifted out of the water for repairs. Newspaper reports stated that the "float" usually had about ninety boats moored to it.

The Dubuque Motor Boat Club expected to host two regattas for local boaters. The events were to be held in the afternoon preceded by a picnic for members and their friends.

Leadership of the two clubs in 1916 was provided by:

Dubuque Motor Boat Club

Commodore--Dr. G.W. Hoag

Rear Commodore--E.M. Healey

Secretary---C.B. Scherr

Treasurer--L.C. Lubck

Directors--Wm. Gere, John Kopp, A. Hermann, E.M. Healey, J.G. Cain, George Rowan

Fleet Captain--Carl Zeipprecht

Official Measurer--George Schreiner

Lake Peosta Club

Commodore-J. E. Boyle

Vice Commodore--Julius Mundt

Secretary--Simon S. Sutter

Treasurer--C.W. Bradley

Directors--John Schwartz, Nelson Martell, John Lehman, Wm. Beyer, W.M. Haisch, Harry Keck