Sunday, June 13, 2010

Potomac Boat Club


I live a short walk to the cliffs on the other side of the river from Georgetown, between Key Bridge and Chain Bridge. This picture is taken from the other side of the river, from the docks of the Potomac Boat Club.


I cross Key Bridge every day to get to work. The bridge was built in 1923. Between my house and the bridge is a bald eagle nest.


This is the Potomac Boat Club, located at the foot of Key Bridge. I rowed crew out of here in high school under the auspices of the legendary Charlie Butt. I was not much of an oarsman, but he was a good coach.


All the shells and oars are fiberglass now. In my day, all the boats and oars were wood. The first fiberglass boat showed up in my Junior year. This is the storage "bone yard" under the last remaining arches of the old Aqueduct Bridge, which was othewise torn down in 1933.


Still green and white. This particular version of the boat house dates to 1908. The Potomac Boat Club was actually founded in 1869.


The docks. I carried many a boat down these.



Potomac Boat Club rowers, 1919.


Potomac Boat Club women rowers, 1926. The abutments from the old Aqueduct were left standing until 1962 when they were dynamited to 12 feet below the surface.

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