SPEED-BOATS SINKING

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 September 1931, Page 5

SPEED-BOATS SINKING

KAYE DON’S NARROW ESCAPE

U.S.A.’s BARREN WIN

(BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, September 8. Kaye Don and his mechanic had a narrow escape from death when their motor-boat, VMiss England the Second,” travelling at a great speed ; encountered the surge waves of Miss America the Ninth,” capsized, and Kaye Don crossed ,the starting behind “Miss America the Ninth.” At the second turn of the triangular course, ha'lf a mile from the start, the British craft hit a wave churned up by the American craft. The British craft, turned over, fortunately throwing Don and the mechanic clear. They wore lifebelts, and were'picked up uninjured. " Meanwhile it had been (announced that “Miss America the Ninth,” which started first, and “Miss England the Second” had both crossed, the starting line' five seconds too soon, and "both were disqualified; ■ The rules of the race are that any craft disqualified in one heat is debarred from participating in any; further heats. The second American boat, “Miss America?/ the Eighth,” which crossed the starting line somewhat late, was declared the winner. America thus retains the trophy. Her speed was 61 miles an hour. When Kaye Don won on Sunday he established a record of 93 miles an houi’. < ’ '

WOOD DECLARED WINNER.

- ' DETROIT, September' 8. The Harmsworth Trophy Cdmmittee agreed to let George Wood run on Tuesday, so that his name may be placed upon the trophy. . After his covering half of the course at an average speed of a little more than 50 miles an hour, they waved him in, as it is unnecessary for one boat to:complete the course. x “MISS ENGLAND” RAISED. DETROIT, September 9. Kaye Don’s “Miss England” has been raised from the bed of the; river. The hull is badly damaged. The motors suffered from the sudden immersion in cold water, while turning over at a high speed. Suggestions have been made that the people of Detroit should present a testimonial trophy to Kaye Don, who won the first heat of the Harmsworth Trophy. ’ ’ Mr. Stewart Henley said that a trophy should be given as a tribute to “a sportsman and a gentleman.” GAR WOOD’S DENIALNO TRICKERY ATTEMPTED. . (Recd. Sept. 10, 10.30 a.m.) DETROIT, September 9Gar Wood, to-day, contradicted the statements attributed to him, that he had deliberately drawn Don over the starting' line. He said that the only thing he had in mind was to beat,Don over the line. Ho' felt that if he got away first he would have a chance to keep the lead. When he saw Don make a start for the line, he speeded up the boat and passed him before the line was reached.. It was this earnest desire on Don’s part to get the lead and Wood’s determination that he would not get the jump, that caused the unfortunate mix-up. Wood wept as he discussed the statement attributed to the effect that he ha\L tricked Don. “I’ve been racing for years, and we’ve done the best we could to carry the American flag in a sportsmanlike way. I don’t know how this misunderstanding can be rectified.” Wood broke down as he terminated the discussion. He said that he couldn’t talk about it any more. All the Detroit newspapers oh Monday evening carried stories which described Wood as deliberately drawing Don over the line, while Wood’s second boat held back and made a legitimate start. The newspapers further quote Wood as saying that he, planned the start in advance and that everything went off just as planned. . ? It was still undecided to-day whether any name would be engraved on the Harmsworth Trophy, and the question may be decided by the Yachtinen’s Association as the national authority. If Miss America the Eighth is recognised as the winner, the name of Garfield Arthur Wood, the 13-year-old son of Gar Wood, will be engraved as the winner, as he listed as the owner of the boat. George Wood’s name will go in the records as the drive’r. TROPHY~FOR DON. DETROIT, September 9. Kaye Don was presented to-day With a Weyhing trophy, which is annually awarded to the winner of the fastest lap in the Harmsworth races, by virtue of his Sunday’s achievement. During the presentation, Gar Wood stood at Don’s side, and was the first to offer congratulations. The trophy is a 24in. silver cup.