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. |
