P a ge 27 t o pside V olume 120 , I s s u e 2
Cape May Flotilla Celebrates Ruby Anniversary Continued
A photo taken of the boat race competition during the district ’ s first Rendezvous held in Cape May in August 1947 . Coast Guard Auxiliary photo from Flotilla 82 5NR archives .
The young Flotilla ’ s members were given a “ baptism by fire ” or , rather , “ by storm ” when the area was struck by “ The Great Atlantic Hurricane ” on September 15 , 1944 . The hurricane was one of the most powerful to traverse the Eastern Seaboard , maintaining its strength somewhat at its New Jersey landfall hit as an 85-mph hurricane .
The new Flotilla also pioneered a number of prominent Auxiliary events . On March 14 , 1944 , the Cape May Flotilla was the first in the Coast Guard District to teach Boating Safety Classes to the public ; thirty-two students from the surrounding area completed the Piloting and Seamanship class taught by Flotilla members . It also hosted the district ’ s first annual gathering , then known as “ Rendezvous ,” during the first week of August 1947 . In later years , the Flotilla coordinated many local dedications and memorial events . Today , the 117 men and women of the Cape May Flotilla still maintain the proud tradition of actively assisting the Coast Guard , including missions never contemplated in 1939 . John Burns is the longest - serving member of Flotilla 82 , and he notes , “ The Mission hasn ’ t changed through the years in that we continue to support the Active Duty . The first members of Flotilla Cape May had a spirit of adventure and patriotism that motivated them . The members of today maintain those same attributes .”
Since the first meeting held on that winter evening 80 years ago , supporting the United States Coast Guard and the recreational boating community has been the Flotilla ’ s priority . They are proud of their success over the years , and plans to continue and grow stronger every year are always foremost in their minds .
Local men who completed the " Boating Education " the Cape May Flotilla offered received their certificate of completion in December 1949 . Coast Guard Auxiliary photo from Flotilla 82 5NR archives .