1905 Indian Harbor YC Regatta
Power Boat Races Of Indian Harbor Y.C., Greenwich, Conn.
There was a fairly good attendance at Indian harbor for the club's first power boat races this season, on July 4th.
The day was ideal for the automobile boat. The morning, up to noon, was without a zephyr. A light breeze struck off from the South shortly after 12 o'clock, but not strong enough to arouse the Sound waters to any disturbed state.
There were ten entries all told, which promised a very interesting afternoon, and were as follows: Argo, Charles L. Seabury, Columbia Y.C., rated 96.52, equipped with an 8-cylinder 175 h.p. Speedway engine; Veritas, Alex Stein, not rated, 8-cylinder 300 h.p. Craig engine; Dixie, E. R. Thomas, Seawanhaka Y.C., rated 95.08, with 8-cylinder, 150 h.p. S&M Simplex engine; Challenger, W. G. Brokaw, New York Y.C., rated 88.35, with 8-cylinder, 150 h.p. S&M Simplex engine; Skeeter, E. J. Schroeder, 74.85, with 61 h.p. Speedway engine.
These fine entries were all in the class over 60 ft. racing measurement.
Argo is a new Seabury production, built for G. W. C. Drexel, and was steered by the designer and builder. Dixie is a new Crane design craft recently completed, and was steered by the owner, E. R. Thomas. Skeeter, another new boat of Seabury production, was put into the race without even a trying out, it being claimed that the engine was set only the day before, yet she ran over the course without a mishap.
The balance of the entries were: Simplex, C. R. Mabley, Columbia Y.C., rated 50.95; Flash, Alex Stein, 48.97; Express, C. R. Mabley, not rated; Narquisi, A. G. Cooper, 41.60; Lucania Jr., W. J. Hewlett, 42; Em Bee, Louis Newman, 32.22.
Alexander Stein's Veritas did not put in an appearance, but was laying at the wharf of the Greenwich Yacht Yards p the harbor. A trial was given Veritas the day before, but only 4 of the 8 cylinders would work, but it was claimed that she developed a speed of 24 miles an hour. It is regretted that she was not in a position to compete.
This left Argo, Dixie, Challenger and Skeeter in the first class over the 28-knot course; from the starting line to and around the bell buoy off lloyd's Point, leaving the same on the starboard hand, thence to the finish line, leaving the committee boat to starboard. Course to be sailed over twice.
Two divisions were made of this class: First division making Argo the scratch boat, allowing Dixie 1 minute and 8 second handicap; second division, Challenger scratch, allowing Skeeter 14 minutes and 31 seconds handicap.
Argo, Dixie and Skeeter were new boats and this their initial race.
Class II was to be over course 2; for boats rating 60 ft. and not under 32 ft. racing measurement. From the starting line to and around the Cows red can buoy off Shippan Point, leaving the same on the starboard hand; thence returning to the finish line, leaving the committee boat to starboard. Course to be sailed over twice. Distance 18½ knots.
In this class Simplex was the scratch boat, allowing Flash a handicap of 3 minutes and 43 seconds.
The cruising power boats also sailed over course 2. Em Bee was scratch, allowing Narquisi 32 minutes and 14 seconds, and Lucania Jr. 38 minutes and 29 seconds.
Dixie was started at 2:30 p.m. with everything running smoothly. At 2:31:08 the gun was fired and Argo passed over the line at full speed. Mr. Thomas at the helm of Dixie evident-
ly misunderstood the course as she was seen to sheer off about half a mile out and head with Argo, which had taken a different course.
Dixie turned the committee boat, completing the first round, at 3:05:20, closely followed by Argo at 3:06:01. This made the elapsed time 35 minutes and 20 seconds; at a speed of nearly 28 statute miles an hour for the former, and 34 minutes and 53 seconds at a speed of 28.19 statute miles an hour for the latter.
On the first leg of the second round Mr. Thomas, who does not profess to be an experienced helmsman, got off the course and struck a rock on Hen and Chickens Reef, losing the propeller and smashing the rudder. a nearby launch towed the disabled boat to the club float.
Argo finished the second round concluding the 28 knots at 3:30:12, elapsed time 1 hour, 9 minutes and 4 seconds, at a speed of 28¼ statute miles per hour, establishing an official record.
Skeeter crossed the starting line at 2:40 p.m., followed by Challenger at 2:54:31, the engines working well in both craft. Skeeter made the first round at 3:23:08, elapsed time of 43 minutes and 8 seconds, speed rate 22.39 statute miles an hour, and Challenger at 3:35:45, elapsed time 41 minutes and 14 seconds, at the rate of 23.03 statute miles per hour.
During the second round both boats cut off the miles at a greater pace, Skeeter making it in 41 minutes and 6 seconds, at the rate of 23,49 statute miles for the former and 25.25 for the latter. Skeeter won from Challenger by 9 minutes and 46 seconds.
The next race between Flash and Simplex was scheduled to start at 3:05 p.m., but both boats failed to cross the line when the gun boomed.
In the cruising class Lucania Jr. was scratch boat, allowing Em Bee 33 minutes and 29 seconds and Narquisi 32 minutes and 14 seconds. This class was started at 3:15 p.m. on handicap time, and Narquisi finished first at 5:51:48, elapsed time 2 hours, 4 minutes and 34 seconds; Lucania Jr. at 5:53:01, elapsed time 2 hours, 4 minutes and 32 seconds; Em Bee at 5:57:49, elapsed time 2 hours, 42 minutes and 49 seconds.
Lucania Jr. protested Narquisi as passing Greenwich Point buoy on the wrong side. The protest was sustained, disqualifying Narquisi, making Lucania Jr. the winner.
Five of the Knickerbocker one-design sea skunks were in evidence.
(Transcribed from Power Boat News, July 15, 1905, pp. 281-282. )
[Thanks to Greg Calkins for help in preparing this page. — LF]