|
So, who
are Sea Scouts?
Sea Scouting had its
beginning at a campfire in England in 1909. Sir
Robert Baden-Powell, a British Army Officer and
Boy Scout Founder voiced the hope that older
Scouts would be interested in learning about
boat management and seamanship. He stressed the
need for young men to prepare themselves for
service on their country's ships.
Following the campfire,
Lord Baden-Powell's older brother,
Warington Baden-Powell,
K.C., Admiralty Lawyer, accomplished sailor
and canoe sailing inventor, wrote a book
called Sea Scouting and
Seamanship for Boys.
Sea Scouting evolved over
the next few years and in 1911, B-P wrote,
"Sea Scouting is not necessarily a scheme for
turning out a boy as a ready-made sailor with
a view to his going to sea. But rather to
teach him, by means which attract him, to be
handy, quick and disciplined man, able to look
after himself and to help others in danger."
During World War I (and also in World War II)
English Sea Scouts were attached to Coast
Guard Stations around the English coast, where
they performed coast-watching duties.
Warington Baden-Powell's
book was enthusiastically received by the young
men of Britain and soon found its way to the
United States.
In 1912, inspired by the
newly formed Boy Scout program, a man named
Arthur Carey of Waltham, Massachusetts
recognized the need for a similar type of
organized activity for young adults. Since Mr.
Carey was also a dedicated yachtsman, it was
natural for him to combine his dedication to
young people with his love for the sea, and the
Sea Scouts was founded in the United States.
On November 7, 1923, the
first Sea Scout Ship in Long Beach, the Ticonderoga,
held its first meeting in Alamitos Bay. Many
ships have started in Long Beach since and the
Sea Scout program here is one of the longest
running in the United States.
From a humble beginning
aboard the private vessels of a few dedicated
people, the Sea Scouts now boast the foremost
boating program for young adults in the world.
A group of Sea Scouts
(adults and youth) is referred to as a Ship,
and traditionally carries the name of its
primary vessel.
The Sea Scout Ship
Conquest
The Sea Scout Ship Conquest
was founded in 1963 in the Long Beach Area
Council, California, and has served the youth
of the Long Beach area for over 50 years.
Initially, the ship acquired the vessel of the
recently folded S.E.S. Spartan, a
40' converted U.S. Navy motor launch. The Spartan
had built a cabin and re-installed a 60 horse
Buda DB diesel engine. A few years later, the
engine was replaced with a 6-71 Graymarine
Diesel. In 1970, the entire cabin was replaced
and the boat served the ship until 1981 when
the 48' vessel Volunteer IV became
available. Re-named Conquest, it was
the ship's primary vessel for the next 20
years. Recently, the ship has been building a
new vessel that has become the centerpiece of
a new program featuring cruising to Catalina,
Cannnel Islands, the West Coast to San
Francisco and Points North!
In recent years, the Conquest
has been one of the most active ships in the
Long Beach area. Most of the adult leaders are
people who came up as members of the ship and
include several who earned the rank of
Quartermaster. Some of our members have gone
on to serve in all branches of the military.
Others have entered careers in marine design,
drafting, engineering, teaching, management,
child care, civil service and law enforcement.
The Conquest prides
itself on it's record of community service,
providing color guards, traffic control at
community events, promoting Sea Scouts with
presentations and displays at local boat
shows, trade shows, high schools, shopping
malls and other community events. In addition,
the ship frequently responds to distress calls
and has rescued numerous stranded and grounded
boaters over the years.
The Conquest is proud
of the positive influence we have had on our
members and on the community.
 |
 |
| Conquest
1963-1981 |
Conquest
1981-2002 |
|
Who May
Join?
Membership in the S.S.S.
Conquest is open to young men and
women who have completed the 8th grade. You
may remain a member until your 21st
birthday.
We require that you
attend four meetings/activities with the
ship after which the crew will vote on your
admission.
The registration fee is
$24.00 per year and the dues are $5.00 per
month.
You will be expected to
purchase a Sea Scout Manual and two uniforms.
We get uniforms at bargain prices.
|
