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Established 1937
NEWPORT SEA BASE HISTORY
In 1937, when “Sea Base” was little more than a strip of sand just east of “The Arches,” a groundswell of public support created the first 25-year lease of the Newport Sea Base property to the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America. Since that time, the Newport Sea Base has been providing quality maritime programs for youth with a commitment to developing character and inspiring a love for the marine environment in the hearts of youth.
William H. Spurgeon, III spearheaded a drive to develop the facility that included a bulkhead, storage facility, a clubhouse, restrooms and shower building in 1947. By 1961, 2,100 Scouts used the Base, and by 1969 the overall day use attendance was 12,000 a year. During that period, new buildings and programs, like the summer Aquatics Camp, were added. Many of the programs continue today.
The original Newport Sea Base was beginning to show its age by the 1970s and demolition began in 1979. The Newport Sea Base (in its previous configuration) was dedicated on December 7, 1980.
In 2002, the Sea Base began a $7.2 million project to transform the facility into a modern teaching and aquatics center. The expanded Newport Sea Base now features additional classrooms, a library, conference room, crew center, picnic area and new boating equipment. Fleets of boats include kayaks, canoes, rowboats and over three dozen sailboats. It is also home to the two Sea Scout Ships; Del Mar and Renegades, as well as the Chapman University Crew Team, Chapman University Sailing Team and Corona del Mar High School Sailing Team.
The site is provided courtesy of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and operated by the Orange County Council, Boy Scouts of America. A shining example of what a privately funded and publicly accessible facility can do, the Newport Sea Base counts an overall attendance of more that 15,000 per year. The success of the Newport Sea Base has been made possible through the generous contributions of many dedicated donors.
GALLERY
TIMELINE
1929 First Sea Scout Ship organized in Orange County
1930 Two Ships and 40 Sea Scouts in Orange County Council
1932 Five Ships, 75 Sea Scouts in Orange County Council
1935 First annual Region XII Sea Scout Rendezvous held in Newport Beach, Nov. 29- Dec. 1
1937 The Orange County Council signed a 25-year lease with the City of Newport Beach for 100’ of bay front
1939 Lease expanded to 270’ for $1 per year
1944 City of Newport Beach dumped 130 tons of sand dredged from bay onto site to build up base; pilings placed to hold in place
1946 W.H. Spurgeon, III became active in Sea Scouting, originally as Skipper of Ship 207 in Laguna Beach
1946 Construction began; shower house, storeroom
1953 Signed new 10-year lease from County of Orange. Old Mess Hall brought down from Santa Ana Army Air Base
1956 Ralph Whitford became Port Captain at the Sea Base; remained until 1968
1961 2,100 boys attended Sea Scout Base during the year
1963 Region XII Sea Scout Rendezvous returned to Newport Beach; more than 1,000 attended
1966 Aquatic Camp began during summer; eight five-day sessions, cost $18. 208 boys attended
1969 SSS 306, Flying Toads, under Skipper Bob Jessen, admits the first female in the nation to the Sea Scout program (under Exploring)
1970 Orange County Council purchased the tallship “Argus” for $40,000
1974 Planning for new sea base began with hopes for 30 year lease from County
1979 Andy Fitzpatrick became Sea Base Director
1984 Considered replacing the “Argus”
1992 “Conqueror”, 90-foot vessel, began taking Scouts out on cruises
1994 Replaced old horseshoe dock built in 1980
1998 Began fund raising drive, seeking $4.5 million for improvements; planned two new buildings
2000 New 30 year lease signed with the County of Orange
2002 Sea Scout Ship 711, Newport Beach, won the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Sailing Championship, in Chicago
2004 $7.2 million in renovations completed
2004 Bill Mountford retires as the Sea Base Director
2004 Chapman University signs a 10-year sublease with NSB to operate its collegiate rowing program from the facility
2004 Sea Scout Ship 711, Newport Beach, won the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Sailing Championship, in Cape Cod
2005 Partnership with Corona Del Mar High School Sailing finalized
2006 Sea Scout Ship 711, Newport Beach, won the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Sailing Championship, in Miami
2006 Sea Scout Ship 711, Newport Beach, was selected as the best Sea Scout program in the nation
2007 “Argus” sold to the Argus Foundation for renovation and restoration
2009 Six exciting new donated RS Feva “youth performance trainer” sailboats put into service during summer program
2010 OC Sea Scouts participating in the Sea Scout Advanced Leadership (SEAL) Training earned national class rankings of 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9
2010 Local Sea Scouts hosted 28 British Sea Scouts for a one-week cruise to Long Beach, Catalina and Dana Point
2012 Sea Scout Ship 90, Newport Beach, won the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup, near San Francisco
2014 Sea Scout Ship 90, Newport Beach, won the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup, in Long Beach
2014 NSB Rowing program launches in September, with approximately 20 athletes
2014 Joe Vickers mural is added to the Sea Base
2016 NSB Rowing qualifies two boats for the US Rowing Jr. National Championships, which finish 7th and 10th
2017 NSB Celebrates its 80th Anniversary
