The Cat Island Sailing Club will host its 59th annual regatta in New Bight, Cat Island, from July 31 to August 3, this year.
"This year, we will honor one of the pioneers of the Cat Island Regatta, the late Harold 'Herbert' Lamont King," said club president Pat Strachan.
Captain King died in 1977 at age 71. He was a lifelong resident of Knowles, Cat Island who resided in King Yard. His parents were Israel Fredmore "Britton" King of Knowles and Isadora Seymour King who was from the settlement of Tea Bay, Cat Island. King and his brother Richard were seafaring men who built boats. They were co-owners of the Sea Serpent and the River Queen, two sailboats that served Cat Island as carriers of passengers and freight back in the days before motor vessels came on stream. Although Richard was probably known as the boat builder of the two, King was simply known as "Cap".
King was married to Doris Cleare of Eleuthera. His children and grandchildren and their offspring are professionals in their own right, and continue to make their contributions as community leaders and nation builders. Among them, his eldest son Harold was the first black Bahamian contractor to build a major project in New Providence, the Palmdale Shopping Centre. Harold also built the new Transfiguration Baptist Church on Market Street where his brother the Rev. Dr. Garnet King later became pastor.
Up to the time of his death, King was a prominent member of the Knowles settlement and the wider Cat Island community. He was a member of the local Board of Works and a building inspector for the island. King was an astute businessman and operated what was perhaps the first block-making plants on the island. He was very active in the political and social development of Cat Island and became the go-to man on the island.
At a time when Cat Island was well populated, King knew every family from Orange Creek in the north to Devil's Point and McQueen's in the south. He was well respected and admired in his beloved Cat Island.
The first Cat Island Working Boat Sailing Regatta was held on Thursday May 31, in Knowles, Cat Island. The Racing Committee consisted of Commissioners R.H. Culmer, James Campbell and Leslie Armbrister, along with Harold King and Richard King. Sir Harold Christie, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Cat Island at that time, was also instrumental in organizing that first event.
The sailors of Cat Island had participated in the annual Out Island Regatta in Elizabeth's Harbour, George Town, Exuma in 1955 and King and the other sailors envisioned hosting their own regatta in Cat Island. It was decided that the first Cat Island regatta would be held in Knowles, Cat Island and all activities would be centered around the government dock and the residence of Eunice Strachan, the grandmother of Pat Strachan and Garth King. The regatta would later move to other settlements over the years to allow each settlement to gain from the financial benefits.
The foundation for the event was the traditional regattas that usually took place in the settlements as a part of the Emancipation Day celebrations. This first regatta would bring together the skippers from Cat Island who sailed in the regatta in Exuma in 1955 - Japhet King who skippered the Hunter, Joseph Lightbourne who skippered the Sea Queen, Emmanuel Larrimore who skippered Miss Cat Island and Harold King who skippered Fear Not, along with other locals and those who traveled from other islands.
Harold King won the race sailing Miss Cat Island at that first memorable Cat Island Regatta. Over the next five to six years, the King brothers, Harold and Richard, along with Harold's sons, would win numerous regattas in their boats, Miss Cat Island 1 and 2, the Catherine, the Mayflower, the Palmdale, Fear Not, the Invincible and the P.D.Q.
Harold King ensured that the spirit of the Cat Island Regatta was kept alive throughout the years as the event eventually moved to its home in New Bight. He and his family would often use their own funds as prize money. During regatta time as always in Cat Island, Harold King would transport as many persons as he could up and down the length of the Island. He continued to be actively involved in the development of the regattas in Cat Island until his death.
"We've had a successful 2014," said Strachan. "Due to the assistance of some key persons, namely the MP for Cat Island Philip 'Brave' Davis, Mark Roberts of FYP Builders Mall, the administrator for Cat Island Mr. Jackson McIntosh and the good patrons who supported our fundraising events, we were able to transform the sailing club in New Bight. The male and female bathrooms, the interior and exterior, were painted, the ceiling was closed, new windows and doors were installed and the club was completely air-conditioned. In addition, we donated four scholarships to students from Cat Island."
This year's regatta will feature some of the top A, B and C-class sailing sloops, and some of the best entertainers, in the country.
"This year, our theme is 'Dream in 2015'," said Strachan. "We have an aggressive agenda which includes seven fundraising events. For the Easter weekend, we will have a mini-regatta at Montagu Bay, April 4th, 5th and 6th. There are four boat cruises planned. Also, our annual 'Cat Island Day' is set for July 4th, and of course the regatta in Cat Island."
This year, Strachan plans to continue assisting Cat Island.
"Among my list of goals this year is to continue the renovation of the club, award eight scholarships, ensure that our fundraisers are successful and organize a very successful regatta," he said. "I'm fortunate to have a dedicated and committed membership who has given me and will continue to give me their support. It has always been my view that the sailing club ought to be reaching out to the community in Cat Island and assisting those less fortunate persons. That is why this year we plan to make food donations in Cat Island to persons who may be experiencing hard times.
"In addition, we've applied for a parcel of crown land in Cat Island. My goal is to start the construction of a community center while I'm president and to encourage future presidents to continue developing the center. This center will have a computer room, a library, a banquet hall, reception area and offices. I think this will be vital to the development of the young people in Cat Island. I have no doubt that this center will assist in developing the kids and ensure that they have a bright future."
Last February, the club embarked on what was titled "Promote Cat Island Regatta Month". It was a promotional campaign put on by Strachan and other members of the club. They visited radio and television stations to promote the club's agenda and goals.
"We felt that was very successful," said Strachan. "This year we will again have 'Promote Cat Island Regatta Month' in February. We feel it is very important that there is consistent communication between the public and ourselves."
Once again, the regatta is set for July 31 to August 3, in New Bight, Cat Island.
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