Nobscot Power Squadron was formed in 1962 in Framingham, Massachusetts, out of Pequossette Power Squadron, based in Watertown, Massachusetts. Pequossette Squadron was formed earlier out of Boston Power Squadron, the first original squadron of USPS. As Pequossette grew over the years, to more than 400 members it was found that many members lived farther west in the Framingham area, and that they had enough activity to teach their own public Boating Course (called the Piloting Course at that time).

After many organizational meetings in 1961 and 1962, a petition for charter was submitted to USPS. On November 12, 1962, at the National Governing Board Meeting, a charter was assigned to Nobscot Power Squadron, the eighth squadron in District 12. The squadron started with 37 Charter Members, none of which are now active. The first squadron commander was P/D/C James Adam, Jr. N.

Nobscot is a community in northwest Framingham. (All USPS squadrons are named for geographical locations.) The name "Nobscot" was shortened from the Algonquin Indian word "Penobscot", which means "place of falling rocks". The Knox Trail Boy Scout Reservation is located on nearby Nobscot Hill. The squadron membership increased from the 37 charter members to over 300 members (including family and woman certificate holders) in the 1980's. Current membership stands at 123 members of which 107 are classified as active.

Burgee

The Nobscot squadron pennant was approved at a USPS National Governing Board Meeting on 16 November 1963. The design was chosen by members in a competition held shortly after the charter was approved. P/C John Slavin's design was selected. It consists of three adjacent triangles, red, white, and blue, with a compass rose placed in the center.

The red triangle, being the color of danger, reminds us of the hazards of cruising on uncharted waters; the white triangle, composed of all colors of the spectrum, signifies the unity of purpose of our organization; the blue triangle signifies the excellence which we can attain by pursuing the educational advantages available to us in USPS. The compass rose reminds us always to set our course with care when embarking on a new venture; together the colors red, white and blue are emblematical of the flag of the United States of America and the ensign of the United States Power Squadrons.

Squadron Activities  (1962-2012)

Membership Meetings & Executive Committee Meetings

In the 1960s, meetings were initially held in the town-owned historic Nobscot School. The name Nobscot was selected for the squadron because the school was located in Nobscot village. When the school was closed, the headquarters was moved to the Old Framingham Library building in Framingham Center.

In 1994, the squadron moved into a headquarters suite on the second floor of the Natick American Legion. Executive Committee meetings and member courses were held there, as were Christmas parties and district conference meetings. After 15 years occupancy, this facility was closed in 2009. Executive Committee meetings are now held in the new Natick Public Library.

Since 1990, membership meetings have been dinner meetings with a speaker, at the Bella Costa Ristorante, in Framingham. Previously meetings were held in the Old Framingham Library building.

Member Course Locations

Boating Course Locations

In 2012 a late spring course was taught in Newton North High School.

Changes of Watch

25th Anniversary Celebration

Cruises and Rendezvous

Annual Picnic

Squadron Communications Media

A squadron website was established in 2001 by P/C Joseph D. MacPhee, JN. In February 2009, P/D/Lt/C Ai Lean Lim, JN redesigned the website. Nobscot registered its internet domain name "nobscotusps.org" on October 6 2011. It offers information about squadron events and course announcements to the membership and the public. The website also continues to receive commendations from National.

Major Events at National, District, or Local Level

In the 1980 the Nobscot Past Commanders Club was formed and incorporated in 1993. This dedicated group provides support and advice to the squadron commander. Dinner meetings are held three times a year.

In 1984 women were first admitted to full membership in USPS. As male membership decreased, the ladies gradually stepped up to fill leadership roles in the squadron. Membership only by invitation was replaced by membership through application.

In 1989 the public Boating Course was shortened from 13 weeks to 7 weeks. Since then member courses have also been streamlined. The elective course on Cruise Planning was added to the curriculum.

In 1992, the squadron's Public Relations Committee produced a Safe Boating Video with the local cable company. Boating scenes were taken at Lake Cochituate and Boston Harbor. The video was shown on local television and is still used in public boating classes. On October 17, 1992 Nobscot was awarded the USPS Cornerstone Award by National. The squadron established the Richard F. Cullen Award for Excellence in Education in memory of P/C Richard F. Cullen, SN. Edward Q Leland, AP Registrar of the Boating Course for many years was the first recipient.

In 2000, USPS entered in a Memorandum of Agreement with the United States Coast Guard authorizing USPS to conduct Vessel Safety Inspections. P/D/C Joseph V. MacPhee, SN taught the first Vessel Examiner's course in late 2000. Joe Lynch and P/D/C Bob Stillwell, SN were among the first Nobscot vessel examiners. Lt. Michael Sullivan, AP currently chairs the committee, which performs about 25 examinations per year.

In 2000, the original Boston Power Squadron was dissolved. Most members were transferred to Charles River Squadron; P/R/C Herbert Shulman, AP transferred to Nobscot.

In 2004, the squadron's P/C Carol Eakman, JN Award was initiated to recognize a woman member who has consistently worked for the betterment of Nobscot. Ruth Hagen, S was the first member recognized.

In 2005, P/R/C Don Hagen, SN won the national competition for the Charles F. Chapman Award for Excellence in Teaching.

The squadron changed its name to Nobscot Sail and Power Squadron in 2005 to better describe its activities.

During 2009-2012 the USPS Marine Electronics Course was subdivided into three separate elective courses: Marine Electrical Systems, Marine Communication Systems, and Marine Electronic Navigation Systems.

Since 2010, to increase class sizes, non-members of USPS have been allowed to take member courses.

In 2011 our mother squadron Pequossette disbanded. Two remaining members joined two others who had previously transferred into Nobscot.

In 2012, P/R/C Herbert Shulman, AP, received his 50th merit mark and became an Emeritus Member of USPS. This was the first such award in District 12.

In 1993, P/C Alfred Horka, AP, passed away and bequeathed generous trust funds to Nobscot Squadron and the Past Commanders Club. Following the death of his wife, these funds became available to the two organizations in 2012.

Nobscot Squadron fully supported District 12 activities during this period. Many members served as district committee chairs and officers, including eight District Commanders. Several times Nobscot was awarded the annual Henry Lambert award for best squadron support of district activities.

National USPS History