At Sign of the PENNANT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19990, 5 November 1927, Page 5

At Sign of the PENNANT

I; | Doings among the Motor Boats

By

“RONOMOR”

Saturday last saw the motor-boat season officially launched. The weather was fine and there was a large attendance at the club site. The three races held during the afternoon kept the crowd on the bank interested, especially the duel between Caille and Moth, Wanganui’s first outboard speedsters, and it is evident that these craft arc going to become popular locally.

Caille won by a length or so from Moth, at a speed of approximately 20 miles an hour, but neither was full out, and Mr. C. Savage, owner of the firstmentioned craft, slates that his packet is good for 25. Mr. O. Allen is building a boat to the same plans, and expects to be out for the next racing day, a week hence.

There will be no races to-day, bat two events are scheduled for next Saturday —races for outboards and for the Higginbottom Cup. The latter is for second-class boats, but speedboats wj.ll be allowed to start in ail second-class races if they are on the spot. Special races for the fliers will be held on any race day on which, they make their ip-pea-rance, and as it is the fast stuft that the public likes, it is to be hoped that owners of the fast boats will be out as soon and as early as possible.

Commodore A. Hatrick led the fleet last Saturday in his cruiser, which ne has renamed Virginia—keeping alive the name of his former speed champion. Virginia has been re-powered with a Knight six, which drives her along at a comfortable cruising speed, with a little more in hand if needed.

Advice from America of a remarkable record by Caille outboard motors has been received. In the annual race for the Harnsworthy Trophy, 20 outboards (class B) started, and the first, Second, third, fourth and sixth places were secured by Caille boats. All registered speeds of over 23 miles an hour.

Speaking of the failure of the British boats in the contest for the Duke of York’s trophy, Viscount Curzon held the view that British competitors raced old boats with old engines slightly modernised, England, he declared, could hold her own for pure hull efficiency in any country, but there seemed a lack of willingness of engine builders to cooperate and produce engines of the right calibre for racing.

The Commodore presided at an enthusiastic meetiug of the club on Thursday evening, when about 30 were pru sent to make preliminary arrangements for the regatta on Anniversary Day (January 23). The following sub-coia-mittee-s were elected:—Programme, Messrs. J. Wilson, I. Bailey, W. Emia, and R. J. Bell; Finance, Messrs' A. MuLJ. Tymons, H. Willis, H. Rowell, F. Messrs. J. Boyd, G. Hawkins, R. Bull, W. Johnstone, I). Bonnor, M. Bignoil, O. Allen, J. Wilson and J. D. McConachy; Advertising, Messrs. A. C. Hatrick, P. Higginbottom, V. Brookie and A. Muller; Gate, Messrs. V. Brookie, A. legislated out of the Gold Cup in 1922 Dowling and A. F. Healey; Course, Messrs. D. Bonner, J. 8. L. Deem, A. C. Hatrick, G. Hawkins and J. S. Wilson; Maori events, Messrs. B. J. Bell, W. Em>a, I. Bailey and D. Ronayne; Secretary and Treasurer, Messrs. A. Muller and V. Brookie.

During tho week-end a club run was held by the Wanganui Cruising Club up-river to Hipango Park and an enjoyable time was spent by members. Boats seen out on the cruise were: Pike, Manu, Dawn, Albatross, Maple, Te Kahu and Kelvin.

The best time ever made in a Gold Cup race was 70 miles an hour, recorded at Detroit in 1920 by Gar Wood’s Miss America I. Miss America was a hydroplane, a type of boat which was legislated out of the Gold Cup in 1922 when the American Power Boat Association restricted the race to practical runabouts of about 250 to 400 horsepower.

A hydroplane, which is stated to be the fastest motor craft in the country, has just been completed in Denmark. It is driven by an aerial propeller and a speed of 37j miles an hour is claimed.

It is reported that Mr. Henry Ford has sold his motor-yacht bialia. This boat is fitted with twin-screw motors of a specially-designed Doxford opposedpiston type, each engine having four cylinders. She is of 755 tons measurement.

The syllabus for the season is now available. Races every fortnight are scheduled, and the last day will be March 17. Saturday tides are given on the back of the folder, with the rules of the road at sea.