Crow's Nest - History













Registered Heritage Structure

"Perhaps nowhere in the world was there a garret exactly like the Crow's Nest; fifty-nine steps from street level up the outside of an old store building- officially named the Seagoing Officers' Club and open to officers of the allied fighting ships and the merchant navy. Reminiscences went round the world, and doubtless still are on the wing, of the loud and smoky room where ship's crests and bells and trophies hung thick on the wall and where women were allowed on Tuesday nights only, provided they do not clutter up the bar."-- Joseph Schull, The Far Distant Ships

After the Great Fire of 1892 destroyed most of downtown St. John's, an extensive rebuilding process took place. The "Old Butler Building" was built during this revitalization, on the same ground that an inn called the "The Ship" stood two centuries before. During its first fifty years the building served primarily as a warehouse.

This changed with the advent of World War II. There were various messes scattered around the city; however, they were difficult to reach, and, during the black outs each night, were difficult to return from. While visiting these clubs the officers would have to be escorted back to their vessels at the end of the night. As Lt. Col. A.H.M. (Pete) Stevens stated, "....Admiral Reid or Mainguy, Captain "D" of St. John's....felt they were imposing on us at Headquarters and they decided to build a Seagoing Officers Club."

A public-spirited Newfoundland citizen, Colonel Leonard Outerbridge DSO, with the help of his wife, Lady Dorothy Outerbridge, obtained space in the old Butler Building for the annual fee of one dollar per year. The club would be located on the vacant top floor of the old Butler warehouse.

There are various different stories on how the club was named. Popular opinion had it that the club was called the Crow's Nest because of its altitude and its magnificent view of St. John's harbour. However, Captain Mainguy recalled that a Canadian Army Officer, speculated to be Lt. Col. Pete Stevens, actually originated the title. Puffing and winded when he arrived at the top of its 59 steps, he mopped his forehead and gasped, "Crikey, this is a snug little Crow's Nest." His companions were delighted with the observation and the name stuck.

During the war, the "Seagoing Officers' Club" became famous for its relaxing qualities, as well as its rickety 59 steps. As a memento before entering the theatre of war, many men visiting the club would scratch the name of their ship on the walls. Captain Mainguy's first reaction to these notchings was quite severe. However, on further reflection he remarked, "Damn it they are going to do it anyways." With a quick calculation of the size of the club, he decided he would alot 4 square feet to every ship. These four feet could be used as each ship pleased and the ships' plaques and insignias started to arrive. These colourful works of art, reflecting the unique humour of the men serving in the various allied services, still adorn the walls today.

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The Crow's Nest Officers' Club

crowsnoc@nf.aibn.com

1942-45 Various Naval Officers
1946-50 Colonel the Honourable Sir Leonard C Outerbridge
1950-51 R.A Murphy
1952-53 G.H.Bastow
1953-54 J.C.Grieve
1954-55 G. Renie
1955-56 M.S.E. Hope
1956-57 O. Goodridge
1957-58 F.A.O'Dea
1958-59 F.C. Anderson
1959-60 A. Mc Dermot
1960-61 F.W. Ayre
1961-62 E.G. Godden
1962-63 J. Templeton
1963-64 J.V. Coyle
1964-65 D.C.Hunt
1965-66 M.S.E. Hope
1966-67 J.V.Coyle
1967-68 R.Juby
1968-69 G.Hilz
1969-70 W.Bremmer
1970-71 E.G. Godden
1972-73 W.W.Long
1973-74 G. Douglas
1974-75 J.W.Conway
1975-76 R.Butler
1976-77 R. Butler
1978-79 P.M.Grimes
1979-80 A. Vivian
1980-81 D.C. Perry
1981-82 G. Carter
1982-83 M.B. Dempster
1983-84 P.J. McNichlolas
1984-85 D.C. Hogan
1985-86 M. Drover
1986-87 R. Andrews
1987-88 H.D. Bishop
1988-89 C. Karasek
1989-90 H. Peden
1990-92 F.G.Pierpoint
1992-94 R. Snow
1994-95 N.Stokes
1995-97 R. L. Kavanagh
1997-99 C. Barlow
1999-00 P.Clarke
2000-02 R. Croucher-Wiles
2002-04 D.A. Taylor
2004-05 John P. Andrews
2005-07 D. Hyslop
2007- 09 J. Moyes
2009 - G. Green