Photos from a
Moment
from 2005
All these photos were featured
on the home page during 2005.
Click on photo to see a
larger image as it appeared on the cover.
ALJO VI
Joe Van Blerck - Freeport, New York
National Sweepstakes Regatta Winner
Red Bank, New Jersey 1948
circa - 1949 photographed by Karl Haviland |
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This hand colored print from the early 1940's of Al Brinkman's
Seabiscuit
F-5. Al, a local auto dealer from Buffalo, New York won the 225 American
Speed Boat Championship at the 1946 President's Cup Regatta held on the
Potomac River in Washington DC. I believe this was a Ventnor hull.
Bill DeGlopper |
This photo is of my dad, Poochie Pellerin (rider) and
Bob McGuire (driver). Swampfire II is the boat. Small story -- the
original Swampfire was an old, not named yet, boat my dad and my
uncle Daniel had acquired. They were testing in a bayou and it backfired
and caught on fire .Well my dad bailed and was swimming away when he looked
back my uncle was using his helmet as a bucket and tried to put it out.
My dad was yelling to him to let it burn. My uncle finally bailed also
after being burned on his arms and legs and the boat was lost to the fire
and floated away and set off a SWAMPFIRE in the marsh. That boat would
have been SWAMPFIRE one. Later after being rescued and sitting on an empty
trailer, my uncle questioned my dad as to why he bailed and did not try
to fight for the boat, as well as why he was yelling for him to let it
burn? Well my dad said with a small laugh -- some how he had insured it
the day before and now with the money they could get another boat and did
not need to buy a trailer cause they were sitting on one. After a couple
of cold Dixie beers at the launch (remember them) they agreed the next
boat would be named SWAMPFIRE II
They could still see the marsh fire when they were heading
home.
Spellman Pellerin |
Bill Sterett, Jr.
A few years ago when Bill started building the replica
of the MISS CRAZY THING to donate to the Owensboro Speed Museum,
I knew what was coming next. Another boat... for himself to run in the
Vintage races. We talked about what had happened to Dad, but he insisted
that this is what he wanted to do. I knew my conversation with him was
in vain because I saw the sparkle in his eyes as he talked about it. He
was so proud of his boat. He was glad to be doing something he loved. I
think a big part of this was in tribute to Dad. He was excited to be going
to the Vintage boat races to see you all again this year. He'll be with
you all again each time you get in those boats. You won't see him, but
he'll be watching you.
Nancy Sterett Martin |
Henry Lauterbach in the WaWa in Portsmouth, Virginia
- circa 1958. Look closely, yep, that is a rider! A very young Bill Gwynn,
later the great engine builder.
Chris Hall |
A classic B&W, (hand colored) photo of a 1940's era
Ventnor hydroplane getting inspected by APBA officials. Note the clothing
... inspectors in pith helmets & lady in her Sunday best. Looks like
there is an early APBA champ sticker on the hull side. Photo came from
a regatta held in Rochester, NY in 1944. Who knows the boat owner/driver
& history of the Sally Ann Jr, F-10? Photo sent in by Bill DeGlopper.
This
response by Bob Dalder: The boat was owned and raced by W. E. John
(Bill John) who was from Rye, New York in the late 30's & through the
40s. The boat finished first in the 225 class in May of 1940 in the Albany
to New York race. Two other boats in that race were
Onwego - owner/driver
Bill Bourne from Larchmont, NY and Miss Muskee - owner/driver G.
Schock, Jr. of Millville, NY. The story from the June 1941 Rudder
reads, "The winner of the 225 inboard hydroplane divison is a real old
timer, Bill John driving a 225 Ventor which the first boat down in 1940".
By the way John's time was 3.12.14 and his MPH was 42.880. |
A couple of posters that were used to promote the
1984 Inboard National Championships. Thanks to Brent
McLean for photographing his posters & sending them in. |
Falcon JS-8
Owned & Driven by Ray Morris National Sweepstakes
Regatta - Marine Park 1953 - Red Bank, New Jersey
Photo by Austen B. McKnight, Sr.
"As a boy growing up in Red Bank, NJ, on the banks of
the Navesink River, I would eagerly await summertime and the return of
the Sweepstakes Regatta. The popular local class was (and still is) the
Jersey Speed Skiff. Year after year, I would sit on the riverbank and watch
the skiffs and hydros..and dream of being a part of it".
Bill McKnight |
Earl Wham's Miss Merion Bluegrass
Lake Sammamish.
Photo submitted by Mark Staunton |
A sepia toned print Bill DeGlopper found in his Uncle
Ray's racing album. F-15, VOODOO was a 225 ci 3 pt. hydroplane designed,
built & driven by Chauncey Hamlin, Jr. of Buffalo, NY. In October of
1939 it logged a 5 mile speed of 66.176 mph at Red Bank, NJ powered
by a Lycoming engine. |
Honeybear won the 280 cu. in. hydro National Championship
in San Diego in 1961. Driver was Alan Ford. The boat was recently found
and is now owned by Ralph Finley and is being restored
by Terry Baron. Photo taken by John Paramore at the Modesto Resevoir in
1962. |
This is a photo of my dad Spence Brown driving his first
hydro that he campaigned as S-66 Kilowatt Kid. It is a Champion
hull that he built in 1949/50 from mail order plans.
Mitch Brown JS-66 Yellow Jacket |
Ray Gassner's first Sunshine Baby F-7
Circa -1948. Ventnor hull. 225 cubic inch class.
There may be only 3-4 of these hulls left in the world. Thanks to Keith
Brayer for sending in the photo. |
