From www.starclass.org

Human Interest
Southern Yacht Club in New Orleans Destroyed
By
Aug 30, 2005, 18:15

Southern Yacht Club reports on their web page (http://southernyachtclub.org/index.cfm?menu=1103&openitem=1103) that helicopter camera footage shows the SYC clubhouse burning out of control in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. 100+ mph winds, storm surge and, later, fire devasted the clubhouse and the entire West End area of Lake Pontchatrian looks to be in a shambles.

With the floodgates closed and emergency services understandibly focused elsewhere, efforts to fight the flames were not possible. The footage also shows widespread devastation in the Municipal Yacht Harbor and Orleans Marina. The oldest West End structure, the New Canal Lighthouse, can be seen still standing.

Southern Yacht Club was the host of the 2004 Star Western Hemisphere Championship and is the 2nd oldest yacht club in the USA (founded 1849). It has hosted many other Star Class events over the years including the Star Worlds in 1929. It has been the home of the New Orleans Gulf fleet since 1925.

The video can be seen at http://www.wwltv.com/perl/common/video/wmPlayer.pl?title=www.wwltv.com/082905yachts.wmv


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