Cobbossee Vignettes:
The Cobbosseecontee Yacht Club
Lake Cobbosseecontee is a nine-mile lake of 5,543 acres with a maximum depth of 100 feet. Bordered by the towns of Manchester, Winthrop, Monmouth, Litchfield and West Gardiner, it has a unique and intriguing history...
Early in the 1900's, two major events occurred which resulted in rapid growth around Lake Cobbosseecontee, a name said to mean "the place of many sturgeon," that dates back to when the Abenaki Indians fished and hunted in the area.
The first event was the construction of a trolley line by the Augusta, Winthrop, and Gardiner Street Railway Company, from Augusta to Winthrop in 1902. It was this trolley system that brought summer people from far away cities to enjoy this special lake.
Next was the creation in 1904 of the Cobbosseecontee Yacht Club (CYC), now considered to be one of the oldest inland-waters yacht clubs in the United States. Its basic purpose is to "function as a yacht club and a lake association for Cobbossee."
Daniel Robinson, noted for his 1900 navigational chart of the lake and its companion book, The Cobbossee Pilot, established this unique organization to help maintain water quality, preserve the shoreline, maintain buoys and lighthouses, and promote boating safety. Much remains the same today.
The CYC, with membership open to anyone interested in the lake, promotes the appreciation and use of Cobbossee, works to protect its natural beauty, and maintains a strong focus on the overall improvement of water quality. Invasive aquatic plant growth is of particular concern to lake users, and the CYC today focuses time, energy, and financial resources on the effort to prevent infestation.
Through the years the yacht club has also developed into a social organization that hosts weekly summer get-togethers at members homes, and is well known for its promotion of an annual "Concert on the Lake" in Horseshoe Cove. This year that concert, scheduled for the afternoon of July 22, is sponsored by Clark Marine of Manchester and features the return of the popular School Street Band. On a sunny, summer day it is not unusual to find 100 to 150 boats with families enjoying the music along with the beauty of the lake.
Early in the 1900's, Lake Cobbosseecontee featured many sailing regattas that drew large crowds and featured some of the magnificent sailboats on the lake, such as Daniel Robinson's popular yacht, Gretchen. Last year, in cooperation with the Cobbossee Sailing Fleet, the CYC sought to revive that social activity. This summer will again see sailing regattas return to Manchester Bay.
As stated in its current brochure, the Cobbosseecontee Yacht Club , established over 100 years ago, is "not just a yacht club; it is a vital modern lake association."
Written by Commodore of the Cobbosseecontee Yacht Club David R. Dennett, retired teacher, and avid area historian.
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