Britannia Yacht Club facts for kids
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Britannia Yacht Club gates
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| Abbreviation | BYC |
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| Formation | 1887 |
| Legal status | active |
| Purpose | advocate and public voice, educator and network for Recreational boating, and competitive sailors, coaches, volunteers and events |
| Location | |
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Official language
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English, French |
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Commodore
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Rob Braden |
| Affiliations | Advantage Boating; Canadian Canoe Association, Canadian Dinghy Association, Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, Canadian Yachting Association, Armdale Yacht Club, Bay of Quinte Yacht Club, Dartmouth Yacht Club, Dobson Yacht Club, Island Yacht Club, Kingston Yacht Club, National Press Club, Nepean Sailing Club, Oakville Yacht Squadron, Pointe-Claire Yacht Club, Queen City Yacht Club (Toronto), Rockcliffe Yacht Club, Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Royal Hamilton Yacht Club, Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club, Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club, Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Tennis Canada |
The Britannia Yacht Club (BYC) is a private club in Britannia, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It's a place for people who love boating and tennis. A group of people who owned summer homes started the club in 1887.
The BYC is located on a piece of land at the east end of Lac Deschênes. This lake is part of the Ottawa River. The club leases land from the National Capital Commission. The area next to the club has many homes. The club's harbor was once an old power canal. It has been made bigger twice. The water level in the harbor is controlled by special gates.
The BYC is part of the Ontario Sailing Association, Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, and the Canadian Yachting Association. The club's leaders include a Commodore, a vice-commodore, a rear-commodore, a secretary, and a treasurer.
Contents
What is the Britannia Yacht Club?
The City of Ottawa lists the BYC as an important sports facility. The club gives members access to 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) of sailing waters on the Ottawa River. There's even a special map (Chart 1550) that shows all of Lac Deschênes.
The BYC has almost 1,200 members. They can join for social events or for boating. The club has a marina with two harbors. These harbors can hold 280 Keelboats (larger boats). If you have a dinghy (a smaller boat), there are dry storage areas. The BYC also offers Tennis, youth programs, and social events.
At the entrance to the harbor, called Sherwood Port, there is a plaque. It honors Justice Livius Anglin Sherwood (1923–2002). He was a judge, a sailor, and an international sailing judge. The Main Harbor opens to the Ottawa River. It is surrounded by Mauve Cove, Crimson Cove, and Blue Lagoon. The Inner Harbor is surrounded by Emerald Cay, Mauve Cove, and Crimson Cove. On land, there are areas just for members. You can also camp on Baskin's beach. The Clubhouse has a unique dragon sailboat bar, a Main Lounge, Bruce Neuk, and the Sunset Room restaurant. These areas are great for eating and social events. Fuller Park is a popular spot for picnics.
Club Gardens and Green Spaces
The BYC has many beautiful perennial gardens. There are also wildflower gardens, waterways, and Walkways. Many plants are in the club's colors: blue and white.
Britannia Yacht Club History
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Britannia Boating Club in 1896
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The Britannia Boating Club House around 1900
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The Steamer GB Greene (1896–1945) on the Ottawa River
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Britannia War Canoe Champions in 1902
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Britannia Boat Club war canoe crew around 1906
By the 1830s, steamboats traveled the Ottawa River. They went about 48 kilometers (30 miles) from Deschênes Rapids. Log drives, where logs floated down the river, ended in 1982.
In the 1870s, Britannia Village was a summer vacation spot for people from Ottawa. Train tracks were built, connecting Britannia to the capital. By 1871, Britannia was a small village with farms, houses, shops, a mill, and a church.
Early Club Names
The Britannia Aquatic Club (BAC) started around 1887. It used a converted sawmill and cottages as its main building.
In 1892, the BAC changed its name to the Britannia Nautical Club (BNC). It still used the converted mill. On August 29, 1891, the BNC held its first regatta. This event included sailing, paddling, and rowing races. The club wanted to support all kinds of water sports. They held regattas, sailing races, canoe races, and even log rolling events.
In 1895, the Britannia Boat House Club was officially recognized. Its first yearly regatta was held that year. In 1896, the Britannia Nautical Club became the Britannia Boat House Club.
The Edward Miall award was created to remember four young people who drowned in 1895. Edward Miall wanted to encourage all-around skills to prevent future accidents. The club's photo archives have six old pictures from around 1895. They show people sailing and a regatta.
After the club grew too big for the old mill, a new clubhouse opened in 1896. It was built on land leased from a lumber businessman, closer to the Deschênes Rapids. A photo of this clubhouse from 1896 is in the Library and Archives Canada collection.
The G.B. Greene was a famous steamboat. It was known as the 'Queen of the River'. Built in 1896, it carried up to 250 passengers on daily trips up the Ottawa River. Even though it was taken apart in 1946, its anchor is still at Britannia Beach today.
On August 21, 1897, the club won its third annual regatta. In 1898, the Britannia Boat House Club's war canoe team won the Canadian National Canoe Championship. This race was re-enacted for the BYC's 125th anniversary in 2012.
In 1899, the Ottawa Electric Railway Company built a streetcar line to Britannia. This line operated from 1900 to 1959. It helped many people get to Britannia, especially on Sundays. This made the club's recreational activities very popular. Many people took the streetcar to a fun waterfront park and summer resort. Also in 1899, a power company planned to build a power house with a long canal. This project was stopped, but the unfinished canal was later used in 1951 to create the BYC's protected harbor. Today, the BYC harbor has 250 boat slips, fuel, and pump-out services.
The Britannia Boat House Club was one of nine clubs that started the Canadian Canoe Association (CCA) in 1900. In 1900, the club won the war canoe and canoe race at the Britannia regatta. The club's logo in 1900 had crossed paddles and a special flag called a burgee. A photo of the clubhouse from around 1900 is in the Library and Archives Canada Collection. The club hosted the CCA championships in 1902, 1908, 1911, and 1935.
On June 6, 1902, 15-year-old Lewis Skuce saved a young man and lady. Their boat was drifting towards rapids when he paddled out and rescued them.
A new clubhouse, called the Britannia Boating Club House, was built on the pier in 1905–06. The old clubhouse was then used for storage.
Britannia Boating Club Era
In 1905, the Britannia Boathouse Club was renamed the Britannia Boating Club. It focused on racing and using all types of boats. In 1906, the club registered its design for pins, jewelry, flags, and badges.
The Edwin L. Brittain Trophy was first given out in 1905. It is still awarded for a race from the BYC to Pinhey's Point and back.
Before the First World War, the Ottawa Citizen newspaper often wrote about summer life in Britannia. Stories described social visits, fireworks, bonfires, music, performances, singing, and water sports.
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Britannia Boating Club design from 1906
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Postcard of the Britannia Boating Club House around 1905–06
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Britannia On The Bay near Ottawa in 1910
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Recruitment ad for the 207th Battalion at Britannia Pier
A photo from April 20, 1907, shows an ice jam and damage to the new clubhouse. This photo is in the Library and Archives Canada collection.
In 1908, the Ottawa Association of Aquatic Clubs (OAAC) was started. The Britannia Boating Club was part of its executive team.
In July 1910, the Britannia Fours rowing team won the Dickson trophy. They then competed in the Canadian Henley Regatta in St. Catharines, Ontario.
During the First World War, the Great Depression in Canada, and the Second World War, many families lived in summer cottages at Britannia all year. This was because of housing shortages.
During the First World War, the 207th (Ottawa-Carleton) Battalion, CEF encouraged people to join the army at the Britannia Pier. On June 26, 1916, the Soldier's Service Club held events at the Britannia Boating Club. They raised money for entertainment halls in army camps. Thousands of people enjoyed music, dancing, and a carnival atmosphere.
The new clubhouse, along with canoes and trophies, was destroyed by fire in 1918. The club moved back to its current location in 1920.
The J.G. Hickson Memorial Cup was first given in 1918 to the keelboat champion. The Lt. Col. C. E. Long Trophy was first given in 1919 for a race between the Club and Armitage's Wharf.
Aerial photos of the Britannia Yacht Club area exist from the 1920s. In the 1920s, the Britannia Boating Club had racing boats like 'Ellen' and 'Quicksilver'.
In 1924, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Club was formed. A marine railway was built in 1925 to help launch and pull boats out of the water. The BYC started its tennis program in 1926 with clay courts. In 1927, four rooms were built. The clubhouse roof was also redone. In 1929, a new lounge was built.
In 1929, the Britannia Boating Club's water polo team swam at the Plante Baths. Their Basketball team were the Eastern Champions in 1928–29.
The club faced tough times in the early 1930s. In 1931, the club property was sold because of unpaid taxes. A group of members bought it back for the club. In 1931, a new men's locker room and washrooms were added to the clubhouse. The club started a semi-monthly booklet called the 'Amphibian'. It shared news about water and land activities.
On August 10, 1933, Frank Amyot rescued two men whose canoe overturned on Lake Deschenes.
On July 26, 1934, a strong storm blew away the railing on the Britannia Boating Club pier. Many trees on the grounds were also blown down.
A photo of Britannia Yacht Club from 1935 is in the Library and Archives Canada collection.
In 1936, BBC-sponsored paddler Frank Amyot won Canada's first Olympic gold medal in Berlin (1000 meter paddling). In 1937, the Ladies' Auxiliary performed a play. Also in 1937, wood supports were built for the old pier.
Plans for a riverfront parkway from Britannia to downtown Ottawa were supported in 1939 and 1944. In 1939, a bulldozer was used to dig out the area behind the club pier. The dirt was used to fill in the end of Cassels Street. A stone wall was built to hold the fill.
On August 14, 1940, Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone and her husband, Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone (who was the Governor General of Canada), watched a tennis match at the Britannia Boating Club.
In 1940–41, the Royal Canadian Navy Reserves started a training program for Yacht Club Members. A Royal Canadian Air Force crash launch boat was stationed at the Britannia Boating Club.
The Britannia Boating Club's Basketball team were the Ottawa Champions in 1941. In 1941, the bridge to the Club pier was built. The club also added lights to two of its five tennis courts.
In 1942, the McDiarmid Family Tennis Tournament was cancelled because Canadian tennis champion Don McDiarmid was serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
About 100 photos of the Britannia Boat Club from the 1940s by Malak Karsh are in the Library and Archives Canada collection. These photos show races, the beach, and construction.
On July 18, 1942, 17 BBC members, who were serving in the war, met in London, England.
In 1944, the Princess Alice Barracks Cabin at Britannia Bay offered a summer home for Royal Canadian Air Force Airwomen. It was close to the BBC's tennis, dancing, and boating facilities.
In 1945, the club held a 50th anniversary party. It featured acts like 'Miss Britannia', Hawaiian dance, Scottish Dances, and cabaret dancers.
In 1946, the Britannia Boat Club hosted the first Canadian Dinghy Association Regatta. New lighted tennis courts opened on August 14, 1946, with exhibition matches featuring tennis stars.
In 1946, the Britannia Boating Club Memorial Park Association was formed. It honored club members who died overseas. For example, Captain Percy Royston Gilman died on June 10, 1944.
On July 28, 1947, club members performed a play called 'The Reluctant Mariner'. It was a fun show for 400 guests at the Club Cabaret.
A tower was added to the Clubhouse in 1948. In 1948, club members performed another cabaret show. The Britannia Boating Club also won the Ottawa Tennis Championships in 1948.
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Britannia Boating Club Plaque from 1932
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Britannia Boating Club's 1st Canadian Dinghy Association Regatta in 1948
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Britannia Boating Club war memorial cairn
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Britannia Boating Club war memorial fireplace
A bronze medal from the Britannia Boating Club is in the collection of Library and Archives Canada.
An acre of land was bought at Baskin's Beach. A stone monument and flagpole were put up there. A brass plaque honors members who died in World War I and World War II. Landscaping was added in 1997. This memorial park is still a popular camping area for members.
The club joined the St. Lawrence Valley Yacht Racing Association. The club won first and second place in the Dinghy Class in 1946.
The Britannia Yacht Club Inc.
In 1950, Ottawa took over the western suburbs, including Britannia. In 1950, the Britannia Boating Club was renamed The Britannia Yacht Club Inc. At this time, competitive paddling and rowing were stopped, and the focus shifted to sailing. The main harbor, built in the 1950s, used an old canal.
In spring 1951, the water level on Lake Deschênes rose quickly, causing floods. Members filled sandbags around the club property to protect it.
The G.B. Patee II, a steam tugboat, was bought in 1952 by Captain Thomas G. Fuller. Since 1983, the Britannia Yacht Club has used this tug, now called STV Black Jack, to teach young people to sail. On May 2, 2004, Adrienne Clarkson, the Governor General, renamed the ship Black Jack. A painting of G.B. Patee II is in the Library and Archives Canada collection.
In 1952, the Junior Sailing Squadron was founded. In 1952, the Club cabaret shows included chorus girls.
In 1955, a cottage became the Junior Clubhouse. In 1956, the club hosted a fashion show.
In 1957, the club hosted the first annual National Capital Regatta. Many types of boats have competed, from small Lasers to larger Sharks.
In 1961, the Club cabaret shows included 'the Dearies'.
In 1964, the Britannia Yacht Club created the Frank Amyot Memorial Trophy. It is awarded to young men in canoe racing. This honors Frank Amyot, an Olympic gold medalist and club member.
In spring 1967, high water levels on Lake Deschênes caused flooding. This destroyed the north side of the Club pier.
On July 3, 1967, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, visited the BYC. He celebrated the Canadian Centennial at the Duke of Edinburgh Regatta. Prince Philip flew by helicopter and presented a trophy to the winner of the International Dragon-Class Races. He also toured the harbor.
Don S. Kirby, the Club Historian, wrote a book about the club's history from 1891-1967. It describes five periods of the club.
In 1968, BYC sailor John Holmes finished 6th in the North American Shark Class Sailing Championship.
In 1969, a brass plaque was placed on the BYC harbor. It says that club members built all the harbor walls with their own effort. The work started in 1951 and finished in 1968.
In 1969, a dining room was added to the clubhouse. The senior lounge became the Commodore's boardroom. In 1970, the clubhouse stairs and dining room were updated. In 1971, a ramp was replaced with a terrace.
In 1971, 92 flags (burgees) of club members' yachts were painted around the second-floor dance floor. This area used to be for drying sails.
All-weather tennis courts were installed in 1973.
In 1974, club members wrote a book about the history of the Britannia Yacht Club. Also in 1974, the BYC celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ladies' auxiliary.
In 1976, BYC members volunteered to help run the 1976 Sailing Olympics in Kingston, Ontario.
In 1977, club members skated in the harbor.
During the spring flood in 1979, BYC members volunteered to place sandbags. The pier and gas pump area were underwater.
In 1982, BYC cabaret night acts included 'Sailor girls'.
In 1983, new gates were built at the entrance of the BYC harbor. In 1983, BYC hosted a provincial championship regatta for sailors 18 and under.
In 1984, five tennis courts were redone. BYC has hosted tournaments for veterans, wheelchair tennis, and junior championships.
In 1985, club members hosted a cabaret with many different acts.
On October 28, 1989, the Harbourmaster's Gate was dedicated. It honors Vice-Commodore Lorne E Minogue and all members who volunteered to build the club. Lorne died while working as Harbor Master.
In 1991, the club worked on wall construction and pier repair.
In 1994, the club's Dragon Lounge bar was made from a dragon sailboat called 'Magic Dragon'. A plaque explains that the boat was given to the club by Commodore Simon A.F. Fuller. Bruce Neuk opened as a poolroom in 1994.
In 1995, BYC celebrated its 100th anniversary. In 1995, BYC hosted its first yearly Duct tape challenge. In this fun event, boats made of cardboard and duct tape compete.
Bruce Neuk, a clubhouse room with a Scottish theme, was damaged by fire in 2009. It was reopened in 2011. Instead of a pool room, it became a room for dining, socializing, or sailing training.
In 2004, BYC won the William Abbott Senior Trophy. This award was for the Sail Training Program of the Year.
In 2008, the Ontario Sailing Board chose BYC as one of ten Development Training Centers. Here, members of the Ontario Sailing Team train.
In spring 2011, new harbor gates were installed because of high water levels. A crane was installed in September 2011 to help move boats. Emergency ladders were added in the harbor.
A multiyear harbor maintenance program started in 2011. It includes a 5-year plan to repair the harbor walls.
In 2012, for the BYC's 125th anniversary, a time capsule was placed in the clubhouse wall. It will be opened on the club's 200th anniversary. A memorial plaque was installed inside the clubhouse entrance. New windows and accessible doors were also added. A special 125th plaque was put on the West Wall of the Clubhouse. A book about the club's history was also written. In 2012, Ottawa had a drought and low water levels. The BYC Harbourmaster made sure no boats got stuck.
The clubhouse was part of Doors Open Ottawa in 2011 and 2012. This event lets people visit interesting buildings.
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Britannia Yacht Club Clubhouse during 125th anniversary in 2012
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STV Blackjack at BYC's 125th anniversary in 2012
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Model Ship of Bluenose II at BYC
BYC Traditions and Culture
The BYC has a collection of model yachts, including a model of the famous Bluenose II.
BYC Members fly the club's special triangular flag, called a burgee.
Every year, club members take part in the Commodore's sail past and the Commodore's ball. On Venetian night, boats in the harbor are decorated with lights.
Members sing a BYC version of the song Rule, Britannia!.
The BYC club colors are blue and white . These colors are used in the clubhouse, gardens, and on members' clothing.
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Britannia Yacht Club burgee on mast
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Britannia Yacht Club sign and burgee
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Britannia Yacht Club main lounge trophy cases
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Britannia Yacht Club main lounge screen and trophy case
The clubhouse and gardens have memorials for members who helped the BYC. For example, the Harbourmaster's Gate honors Vice-Commodore Lorne E Minogue.
Ringing the temptation bell means you have to buy a round of drinks for everyone at the dragon bar.
The Nepean Sailing Club gave a trophy case to the Britannia Yacht Club for its 100th anniversary.
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BYC centennial trophy case from Nepean Sailing Club
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Britannia Yacht Club Temptation Bell
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BYC main harbor floating dock
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Bruce Neuk's trophies at BYC
Library and Archives
The Joan Hickman Memorial Library has books, videos, and magazines about sailing. The BYC archives have programs, posters, souvenirs, photos, portraits, scrapbooks, diaries, letters, and newspaper stories. These items are about the Britannia Yacht Club and its earlier names. The BYC photo archives have digital and print photos from the 1880s to today. The BYC art collection includes paintings of past Commodores.
Activities at BYC
BYC organizes sailboat races in the Ottawa area. Boating activities include rowing, paddling, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, and using motorboats for water-skiing or wakeboarding. People also enjoy cruising and day sailing. Sometimes, you might see a Sea-doo, Jet-ski, or remote control boat.
Types of Boats at BYC
BYC has many types of boats, both old and new. These include brigantines, canoes, catamarans, dinghies, Dragons, keelboats, sailboats, Sharks, and war canoes. There are also displays of radio-controlled boats.
Club members own and use many different boats. These include 420s, Albacores, Lasers, Optimists, and Sunfish. The Ottawa Police Service's Underwater Search and Recovery Unit and Marine Unit also operate from the BYC.
Training Boats
The International 14 (dinghy) (K1) was used for racing, training, and fun from 1943 until the 1980s.
The Lightning (keelboat) was brought to BYC in the 1950s.
The Y flyer was used for racing, training, and fun from 1955-1970.
The Wayfarer (dinghy) has been used at BYC since 1963. In 1964, a BYC Wayfarer won the North American Championship.
The Shark (keelboat) has been used for racing, training, and fun from the 1970s to today.
The Laser (sailboat), designed in 1969 by former BYC member Bruce Kirby (yachts), has been used in the Olympic Games since 1996.
Races and Sailing Programs
Competitive sailing at BYC involves many types of boats. These include dinghies, windsurfers, multihulls, and yachts. There are different types of races, like fleet racing and team racing.
BYC has several racing fleets. Its members compete in events for boats like the 420, Laser, and Optimist. The club hosts many of these events. The club organizes races during the week from April to September. It also holds several weekend regattas each year. The club has an active cruising program for fun trips.
The sailing season runs from mid-April to late October. Sailing training programs are offered in the summer for both young people and adults.
Every year, the club hosts regattas that bring sailors from all over Canada and other countries. Many racing events are held with the nearby Nepean Sailing Club and Club de Voile Grande-Rivière. The BYC and NSC also organize fun cruising and day sailing events. Some are memorials for members who served in the Canadian Forces, and others raise money for local charities.
Tennis at BYC
The BYC tennis program includes junior tournaments. These are part of a larger effort to promote tennis for young players. Group lessons are free for BYC Members. Beginner lessons are held on Wednesdays.
Club Partnerships
The Britannia Yacht Club installs and maintains lights and buoys in its area. Other groups like Parks Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Transport maintain other lights and buoys on the Ottawa River. Green buoys are on the left side, and red buoys are on the right.
Other yacht clubs on the Ottawa River include Nepean Sailing Club, Lac Deschênes Sailing Club, Kanata Sailing Club, and Club de Voile Grande Riviere.
The BYC has agreements with other yacht clubs. It is also working with the Nepean Sailing Club to promote sailing in Ottawa. The BYC partners with the Britannia Village Community to put on fireworks shows on Victoria Day and Canada Day.
The Ottawa Power and Sail Squadron (OPSS) is part of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons. It teaches boating education in the National Capital Region. In 2012, BYC hosted the OPSS graduation ceremonies.
The BYC is active in the Canadian Yachting Association and the Ontario Sailing Association.
As a Development Training Centre, BYC helps train athletes from beginners to national team level. It also supports the training of coaches.
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Britannia Yacht Club range Buoys
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BYC Canadian Power Squadron Warrant
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BYC Britannia Power & Sail Squadron burgee
How the BYC is Organized
The BYC is a not-for-profit organization. It has official documents like letters patent and by-laws. The BYC is organized like other clubs, with committees and directors. Because of its connection to the sea, the club uses naval terms for its leaders. For example, the main leader is the Commodore. The person who was Commodore before is the Past Commodore.
Under the Commodore, there is a Vice Commodore (who handles land activities) and a Rear Commodore (who is the Harbourmaster and handles water activities). There is also a Fleet Captain. The board of directors includes leaders for House and Grounds, Tennis, Membership, IT, Communications, Youth, Social, and Public Relations.
The Sailing committee has many members who manage different aspects of sailing. These include race representatives, equipment managers, and a trophy keeper. There are also sub-committees for special regattas.
The BYC has a historian, a lawyer, an honorary treasurer, and an honorary secretary. The staff includes a Manager, an Accountant, and a Harbour Manager. The Club Manager is in charge of the daily operations of the BYC. They work with the Commodore to represent the club.
The Britannia Yacht Club Foundation was created in 2010.
The Commodore's boardroom table has a ship's wheel from the G.B. Patee II. The boardroom also has a large library of nautical books, called the Joan Hickman Memorial Library.
The official newsletter of the BYC is the Full and By. This name means to sail as close to the wind as possible with all sails full.
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Britannia Yacht Club Commodore's Walk
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Britannia Yacht Club Commodore Boardroom
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Britannia Yacht Club manager's office
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Britannia Yacht Club office, Britannia, Ottawa
Famous Members of BYC
- Frank Amyot: Canada's only gold medal winner from the 1936 Summer Olympics. He paddled in these waters as a club member.
- Josle Braden: The first female Commodore at BYC (1992–1993).
- Ian Bruce: Competed in Sailing at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
- Bruce Kirby (yachts): A famous sailor and boat designer.
- J.E. Stanley Lewis: Was on the Britannia Boating Club war canoe team that won the Dominion championship in 1915. He later became mayor of Ottawa.
- Don McDiarmid: Canada's top singles tennis player in the 1930s.
- Harvey Pulford: Achieved national success as a paddler with the Britannia Boating Club.
- Hon. Justice Livius Anglin Sherwood: BYC Commodore (1964–65) and founder of the club's junior sailing program. He was an international sailing judge for many important races. Sherwood Port at the BYC harbor is named after him.
- Roderick Percy Sparks: BBC Commodore (1910–13) and an environmentalist known as the 'father of' Gatineau Park.
- Ezekiel Stone Wiggins: BBBC Commodore (1899), a teacher and amateur meteorologist.
Club Leaders (Commodores)
Britannia Yacht Club Commodores
- Phil Moorman (2012-2011)
- Konrad Lewinski (2011-2012)
- George Clayburn (2008-9)
- John Irvin (2006-7)
- Lynn DeL'orme (2004)
- John Vines (2002)
- Paul Dalahay (2000-1)
- Kirk Robertson (1998-9)
- Rosemary MacKillop (1996-97)
- Simon Fuller (1995)
- Josle Braden (1993)
- Larry Bradley (1991)
- Dennis Foy (1989)
- Ian Anderson (1987)
- Commodore Denny (1986)
- David Brown (1983)
- William Wright (1982)
- Philip Brule (1980)
- A.R. Vanderbelt (1978)
- Blair Cooke (1976)
- Walter Blandy (1974)
- Osie Blouin (1971)
- John Killick (1970)
- Thomas E. Appleton (1966-67)
- Livius A. Sherwood (1964-65)
- James A.S. Milne (1962-63)
- Lorne Smith (1961)
- Gordon Foy (1959-60)
- Grover Book (1957-8)
- Earl Checkley (1956)
- Reg A.S. Bruce (1954-55)
- A.N. Hudleson (1953)
- Earl Checkley (1951-2)
- Cameron Jones (1950)
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BYC display case with Thomas G. Fuller's uniform and sword
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Brass plaque for the BYC Harbour, built 1951–1969
Britannia Boating Club Commodores
- Thomas G. Fuller (1948-49)
- Allan Jacques (1947)
- Don Kirby (1946)
- Reg A.S. Bruce (1945)
- L.P.R. Cook (1938-44)
- F.A. Skuce (1935-37)
- D.L. Fenton (1933-34)
- David P Kirby (1930-32)
- A.J. Fraser (1928-9)
- T.D. Higginson (1928)
- T.A. Burgess (1927)
- T.S. Kirby (1920-26)
- T.A. Burgess (1918-19)
- Guy Boyce (1916-17)
- E.R. McNeil (1914-15)
- Roderick Percy Sparks (1910-13)
- E.L. Donnelly (1906-9)
- William Rowatt (1905)
Britannia Bay Boathouse Club Commodores
- E.L. Brittain (1904)
- William Wyld (1902-3)
- Arthur Tache (1901)
- William Percival (1900)
- Professor Ezekiel Stone Wiggins (1899)
- William Wyld (1896-8)
Britannia Nautilus Club Commodores
- E.D. Parlow (1894)
- Geo Howe (1892-3)
Awards and Recognition
The BYC has been a leader in teaching sailing for many years.
The Britannia–Rideau Power & Sail Squadron helps make boating safer through education. Volunteers teach courses on Boating and Navigation. In 2011, the Britannia Power & Sail Squadron was renamed to include the Rideau Lakes area.
In 2004, BYC won the William Abbott Senior Trophy for its Sail Training Program of the Year.
BYC has also helped develop many competitive sailors. In 2008, the Ontario Sailing Board chose BYC as one of ten Development Training Centers. Here, top sailors train, and coaches develop their skills.
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Plaque recognizing BYC's support for the Canadian Coast Guard
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Plaque recognizing BYC's support for the Canadian Power & Sail Squadron
