Artifact of the Month: July 2023

Ketchikan Yacht Club Burgee

The Ketchikan Yacht Club (KYC) celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2023. The organization formed to offer dedicated moorage and a meeting place to an influx of recreational boaters after Thomas Basin was dredged. During those early years, any vessel that was not a full-time work boat could be considered a "yacht." Presently, KYC maintains Float 2 at Thomas Basin with 32 stalls for members and transient boaters when space is available. Members also enjoy access to the clubhouse, which includes amenities like bathrooms, laundry, a kitchen, and meeting space. The club regularly hosts fundraising dinners to provide for maritime scholarships and funds for an eventual replacement of the aging clubhouse.

KYC members fly a special flag called a burgee on their boats. A burgee is a specific kind of pennant that identifies a recreational boating organization. A burgee can come in a variety of shapes and this month's featured artifact is a typical tapered triangular shape with KYC's logo. The logo features the iconic Ketchikan Rainbird in green and orange holding an umbrella, along with a prominent letter "K." The Rainbird design was created by Bill Gabler, a commercial artist and sign writer who worked in Ketchikan in the 1930s and 1940s. The flag is made out of nylon with durable stitching to withstand flying in outdoor conditions.

For many years master sailmaker Louie Bartos hung this burgee in the sail making and repair loft for his business Mariner Sails. Louie and his wife, Jean, were long-time Ketchikan Yacht Club members.

Object ID #: KM 2021.2.33.1