The Huron River was a commercial port for years. Fish, ore and coal boats were the only marine activity coming and going, with an occasional small boat for recreation using the harbor. The first organized yachting activities started in the early 1930s when the Southern Lake Erie Star Fleet held two races a season, off the old Harbor Pier, the race course extending to the west of the pier. The first race was in May and the last in October. During those years, several regattas were organized and more or less sponsored by the old Chamber of Commerce. Several classes of sailboats from ports along the south shore raced, and a few powerboats took part in a "bang-go-back" race. The Coast Guard would send one of the large cutters and it would be used as a committee boat. There was no formal yachting organization. Several merchants donated trophies and prizes, one of which, the Roswurm Trophy, was still being raced for by the SLE Star Fleet as recently as 1976. However, in recent years the Roswurm Race has been held in Vermillion.