OFFICIAL CEREMONIES AND COURTESIES.

Quarter-Deck to be Saluted.

The quarter-deck should always be saluted by officers and men, by touching or raising the cap, upon coming over the gangway when boarding or leaving their own or another yacht, or a naval vessel.

Yacht Joining a Squadron Must Report.

When joining a squadron, a yacht must report to the commanding officer of the squadron, by the owner of said yacht visiting in person the flag officer in charge, and a yacht should never part company with the squadron without receiving permission so to do.

Senior Officer to Return Salutes and Visits.

The senior officer present is in command of all the yachts at the anchorage that are flying the burgee of the club he represents, and it is his duty to make and return salutes and visits.

Senior Officer to Tender Civilities to Visiting Yacht—Captain of Visiting Yacht to Pay Respects in Person.

When a yacht visits the home waters of another club, and after salutes have been exchanged, the senior officer present representing such home club should send to the visiting yacht a tender of the civilities of the club, after which the Captain of the visiting yacht should pay his respects in person to the commanding officer of the anchorage.

Reception of the President of the United States.

The President of the United States should be received at the gangway of the yacht by the commanding officer of such, and should be piped over the side by the boatswain—the crew being drawn up in line on the port side of the deck. As the President reaches the deck, the President’s flag should be broken out at the main-topmast-head, and one gun fired from the yacht in salute to same, while the Captain, officers and crew should raise their caps in salute. When the President leaves, the crew should be stationed as before, and the Captain should escort the President to the gangway, where the Boatswain should be stationed as before, to blow the pipe and raise his cap, together with the crew, as the President reaches the rail. One gun should be fired and the President’s flag hauled down as soon as the boat conveying the President shoves off from the yacht’s side. Provided the President embarks in one of the yacht’s boats, his flag should be carried on the flagpole in the bows of the boat, while the President is in it, and the yacht’s ensign should be carried at the stern, as usual. The Sailing-Master of the yacht should be detailed to take charge of the yacht’s boat that carries the President. The Captain’s gig should always be the boat employed in transporting guests whom it is desired to specially honor.

Reception of the Vice-President of the United States.

The Vice-President of the United States should receive the same honors as prescribed for the President, except that the national flag should be substituted for the President’s flag and only one salute fired, which should take place when the Vice-President leaves. A small national flag should be carried on the flagstaff in the bows of the yacht’s boat while conveying the Vice-President.

Reception of the Secretary of the Navy.

The Secretary of the Navy of the United States should receive the same honors as prescribed for the Vice-President, substituting the distinguishing flag of the Secretary.

Reception of Other Cabinet Officers.

Other Cabinet officers should receive the same honors as prescribed for the Secretary of the Navy, except that there is no distinguishing or special bunting to be used.

Reception of the Governor of a State.

The Governor of a State should be received with the same honors as prescribed for the Vice-President, except that the flag of his State should be substituted, both at the main-topmast-head and in the bows of the yacht’s boats.

Reception of a Foreign Sovereign.

A foreign sovereign or the chief magistrate of any foreign country should be received on board with the same honors as prescribed for the President of the United States, except that the flag of his country should be substituted.

Reception of a Member of a Royal Family.

A member of a royal family should receive the same honors as prescribed for their sovereign, except that only one salute be fired, which should take place at the time the honored guest leaves the yacht.

Reception of Naval and Army Officers.

A naval or army officer should be received at the gangway of the yacht by the Captain, and should be piped over the side by the Boatswain, who should stand alongside the gangway and keep his cap lifted while blowing his pipe. Upon leaving, the Captain should escort his guest to the gangway and should observe that the Boatswain is stationed as before to wind his call as the officer goes over the yacht’s side. If the naval or army officer is of the rank of Commodore or Lieutenant-Colonel, or higher, a gun may be fired after the boat containing the guest has shoved off from the yacht’s side. Provided the yacht’s boat is used by the guest, one of the yacht’s deck officers should be sent in charge of same.

Reception of Members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps of the rank of Minister should be given the same honors as prescribed for Cabinet officers, and if below the rank of Minister, they should be given the same honors as prescribed for naval and army officers.

Reception of Other Officials.

Other high officials not mentioned in the foregoing may have such honors accorded them in visiting the yachts as may be consistent with the rules laid down.

Reception of Flag Officers.

Refer to “Salutes in General,” next chapter.

Ceremony of Putting a Yacht in Commission.

The ceremony of putting a yacht in commission is exceedingly simple. As a rule, this takes place as soon as the yacht is in proper sailing trim—that is, when the bright woodwork, etc., is scraped and varnished, standing rigging set up, running rigging rove off, decks cleaned, sails bent, etc. The officers and men appear on deck, in uniform, and the club burgee and the Captain’s private signal are “made up” and hoisted to their respective trucks; then the Captain (the Sailing-Master may be authorized to act in the former’s place) addresses the Sailing-Master: “Mr. ——, I declare the yacht ‘——’ in commission.” When this is said, the Sailing-Master orders the burgee and private signal to be “broken out” and the yacht ensign hoisted—this consummates the putting of the yacht in commission.

Ceremony of Putting the Yacht Out of Commission.

The ceremony of going out of commission consists simply of the following: Before the unbending of sail or the dismantling of the yacht in any way, the crew appear on deck in uniform, and the club burgee, private signal and ensign halliards are manned. The owner addresses the Sailing-Master: “Mr. ——, I declare the yacht ‘——’ out of commission.” Upon this the Sailing-Master orders a gun to be fired and the burgee, private signal and ensign lowered. The dismantling of the yacht may then commence.

Commodore’s Duties in Regard to the Ceremony of Putting the Club in Commission, and Opening the Clubhouse for the Season.

After the date of the opening day of the Clubhouse has been fixed upon by the Commodore and House Committee (which usually occurs between the 1st and 15th of May, and in some instances later), the Secretary, at the request of the Commodore, or according to the regulations of the club, notifies all members, at least ten days in advance, by mail, that the club will open on this certain day and date, and the time selected is usually 12.00 noon.

After the arrival of the members, the Commodore calls them to order in the Clubhouse, and in his own words tells them of his pleasure in seeing them, and impresses upon each officer, committee, and the members in general the importance of observing the laws and regulations of the club, and expresses his wishes for the success of the club for the coming season. The Commodore then advises that all assemble in front of the Clubhouse around the flagpole, or on the veranda, for the purpose of putting the club in commission. While the Commodore has been addressing the members, the employees of the club have bent all flags to their halliards and loaded the cannon. One man is stationed at each signal halliard and one at the cannon, standing by. The Commodore proceeds a little in advance of members and guests, and at a signal from him (usually a waving of the hand, previously agreed upon) the gun is fired, the signals run up, and at the same time the Commodore announces: “I declare the —— Yacht Club in commission.” All the yachts in the harbor should have dressed ship in advance, and should salute the club by firing a gun as quickly as possible after the gun of the Clubhouse has been fired.

This concludes the act of putting the club in commission.

Commodore’s Duties During the Period that the Yacht Club Is in Commission.

While the club is in commission the Commodore should deem it incumbent upon him to be watchful concerning the general management of the club; to observe that the various officers are alive to their duties; that the rules and regulations are enforced and obeyed, and that harmony prevails.

The Commodore should preside at all general meetings of the club at the Clubhouse; but in the event of his anticipated absence he should delegate the Vice-Commodore to preside, who, in turn, will notify the Rear-Commodore should he find himself unable to attend. In the absence of the three Commodores, the Fleet Captain will preside, and in case of the latter’s absence the Senior Captain present will take the chair, call the meeting to order and transact the business of same.

In all cases of dispute in club matters, the Commodore and Board of Trustees should be the arbitrators.

Before the season arrives for the commissioning of the club, the Commodore should name his Fleet Captain, Fleet Surgeon and Chaplain, etc.—in fact, the sooner he names the same after his election as Commodore the better.

In the selection of his Fleet Captain the Commodore should be careful to appoint a gentleman of experience in yachting, as such a one will prove invaluable to the chief Flag Officer, taking a great amount of responsibility and care and detail away from the latter.

In case the Fleet Captain has no yacht of his own, the Commodore’s yacht should be open to him on all possible occasions, as a matter of courtesy, and on a cruise of the club, whether the Fleet Captain possesses a yacht or not, his place is on the flagship, in constant official attendance upon the Commodore, and in supervision of the fleet from the flagship’s bridge or quarter-deck.

The Fleet Captain should, under the authority of the Commodore, direct all the movements of the fleet when on the annual, or any special cruise, and the crew of the flagship should be notified by the Commodore to execute the orders of the Fleet Captain upon such occasions.

Should the Commodore decide to be absent from the club station for several days, he should notify the Vice-Commodore, so that during such absence the latter might assume the duties of Commodore should some special occurrence be experienced.

The Commodore’s Duties When the Club Is Going Out of Commission.

When the date of going out of commission is fixed, all the members, at the request of the Commodore, are notified, through the Secretary, by mail, to attend this special meeting, in order to put the club out of commission. In some instances the Secretary, Treasurer and various committees submit their reports at this meeting, other times, again, the reports are not submitted until some time later in the autumn or winter. After all the business of this stated meeting has been transacted, the Commodore thanks each and all for the great aid he has received from them all, also mentioning about the success of the club for the past season. He then proposes that they proceed to put the club out of commission. The signal halliards and cannon have been manned, and at a given signal from the Commodore the gun is fired, flags are hauled down, and the Commodore at the same time says: “I now declare the —— Yacht Club out of commission.” If there are yachts at anchor off the Clubhouse they should salute the club by firing their guns.

Note.—It is customary on the occasion of the yacht club going out of commission to have a banquet for members and guests.

Honors to the Captain when Embarking and Disembarking.

When the Captain is seen coming off to the yacht, it should so be reported to the Sailing-Master (provided he is on board, and, in his absence, to the Mate), who will at once station one of the Quarter-Masters, or one of the crew, at the “absent flag” halliards, and the Boatswain at the gangway, to blow a pipe as the Captain comes over the side, and, as the gig comes alongside the gangway, the Sailing-Master will face the side, and as the Captain steps over the rail, the Sailing-Master and Boatswain will salute by touching the cap visor, and the absent flag will be hauled down. The gig will remain alongside for orders. The Sailing-Master, after ascertaining the Captain’s wishes in regard to the gig, will either order it hoisted or hauled out to the boom. When intending to leave the ship, the Captain should send word to that effect to the Sailing-Master (or to the Mate, in the absence of the former), who will see that the gig is dropped down to the starboard gangway and properly manned, when it will then be reported as ready to the Captain. The Sailing-Master and Boatswain will then take their stations at the gangway, having a hand stationed at the absent flag halliards; and as the Captain passes them to enter the boat, the Boatswain will wind his call and touch his cap, and the Captain shall receive and return the Sailing-Master’s salute. The absent flag will be broken out as the boat shoves off. On entering or leaving the gig the Captain should be saluted by the Coxswain only.

Duties of the Fleet Captain.

The Fleet Captain is appointed by the Commodore as his executive officer, and retains his position at the pleasure of the Commodore. His appointment is based upon his practical yachting experience, that he may be enabled to transact all official business in connection with the fleet; to decide questions of etiquette, and to relieve the Commodore of the details of squadron evolution. Orders of the Commodore, or Acting Commodore, should be issued through the Fleet Captain, and endorsed by the latter; but only when the order bears the autograph signature of the Fleet Captain should the word “official” be used. The Fleet Captain’s flag should be carried on the forward staff of any launch or boat that he may be in charge of.