The Poughkeepsie Regatta was suspended during this time due to the U.S. involvement in World War II.  Despite the declaration of war in December 1941, the stewards went ahead and scheduled the Regatta for June 13 in 1942, but there were concerns over the race creating congestion on the Hudson River.  There was always a great deal of traffic on the Hudson, but with the need to transport goods for the war effort, the Regatta might hold this up.  There was some discussion of holding the Regatta in another location, but this ultimately did not happen and the Regatta was cancelled outright.

The Regatta would not be scheduled again until 1947 due to numerous transportation difficulties and crew members enlisting or being drafted into the military.