Privateer Yacht Club was organized on July 25, 1940, in order to promote sailing in the Chickamauga Lake area and particularly in Chattanooga; to teach its members to talk the language of the sea and build up a marine tradition for "The Great Lakes of The South"; to help promote water safety and a code of ethics for the waterways; to form a social and activity nucleus for people in the area interested in sailing; and to develop an active relationship with other sailing and boating organizations to promote racing and other boating activities.