1910 Championship of the Great Lakes
Winning the Thomas Trophy
How the Reliability of Dixie’s Power Plant Again Stood Her in Good Stead at Buffalo.
The Splendid Performances of Cero II, La Truda and Courier III.
by J. W. Mooney
Dixie II, World Champion, still undefeated in American waters, annexed the E. R. Thomas Trophy and the Championship of the Great Lakes, at Buffalo, September 3rd, in one of the most exciting and hotly contested races ever run. Owned by Mr. Frederick K. Burnham, of New York, member of the Motor Boat Club of Buffalo, the Dixie was a hot favorite, and this being the first appearance of this speed marvel in these waters, an enormous crowd turned out to see the race. It is estimated that 25, 000 people lined up along the banks of the beautiful Niagara.
While Dixie II had apparently an easy victory, she never came so near to being defeated, and that by a steam-propelled craft, the Cero II, owned by Mr. Robert Deming, of Cleveland. Cero II ran a magnificent race up to the time she broke a steam pipe, and just before this unfortunate accident she was gaining so fast on the Dixie II that it looked as though she would have caught and passed the favorite in another round, but Dixie’s marvelous reliability stood by her, and after Cero II dropped out it was Dixie II all alone.
That staunch little boat LaTruda, owned by Mr. Henry Thorpe Vars, of the Motor Boat Club of Buffalo, finished second, and only that she was away out of her class in this race, there is no doubt that she would have been the winner, for the reason that she stood up to her work better than any other boat in the race. Every boat entered had trouble at one time or other with the single exception of the LaTruda, but being less than half the power of her opponents, she hardly had a look-in.
Courier III, owned by William J. Conners, also of the Motor Boat Club of Buffalo, finished fourth.
Despite the threatening weather the greatest crowd that ever witnessed a race for the Championship of the Great Lakes or any other water sport in this vicinity, gathered at Motor Island and at every place of vantage along the banks of the Niagara River, from Black Rock to Tonawanda. The river itself presented a most beautiful sight, being almost entirely covered for miles with small boats all gaily decorated. Almost every type of craft was represented, from the canoe to the magnificent steam yacht Mary Alice, owned by Wm. J. Conners.
Motor Island itself proved one of the most attractive places, gaily trimmed with flags and bunting and graced by a crowd of visitors that has never been equaled before in the history of the Motor Boat Club. Before the start the greatest interest centered in the magnificent array of speed boats waiting for the race. On account of the fact that Dixie and Cero II had never before been seen here, more attention was given to them than to the other boats, all of which had raced here before.
Nine boats were scheduled to race for the Edwin Ross Thomas Trophy, one of the handsomest ever awarded, and valued at $2,000, but it was announced before the start that Hurry, a hydroplane from New York City, could not be put in shape in time for the race, much to the disappointment of those who had heard it was to start. Another withdrawal was that of the Elbridge-Secret, of Rochester. This latter boat was found to be only 28 feet in length, while the conditions called for boats of 30 feet length and not over 40 feet.
The first signal gun was fired at 3:30, which warned all contestants to get ready, and to clear the course. Great excitement prevailed as the engines began to exhaust. The start was made at exactly 4 o’clock, and the seven boats dashed over the line with LaTruda in the lead, Dixie II next and Van Blerck and Intruder in the order named. Then came Courier III, H. S. and Cero II last of all.
At the first turn Dixie took the lead and led the bunch down on the back stretch. Intruder passed LaTruda, which was ahead of H. S., Courier and Cero II, while Van Blerck struggled along hopelessly beaten, and as she passed the judges’ stand stopped and withdrew, having failed to finish the first lap.
Dixie finished the first lap with a lead of 100 yards over Intruder and LaTruda, while Cero II was just beginning to show some speed, and it was predicted that she would be heard from before the finish. H. S. was fifth, and Courier III last, struggling along but hanging on gamely.
Mr. Frederick K. Burnham, owner and pilot of Dixie, evidently opened her up, for on the second lap she showed about 300 yards lead on the others, and it was at this time that the expectations for the speed of Cero II was realized. She suddenly seemed to fairly fly through the water, passing LaTruda on her way to catch Intruder and Dixie, while the others trailed along away in the rear. At the end of the second lap the order was Dixie, Cero, Intruder, LaTruda and Courier. H. S., in the meantime was seen to stop and it was learned later that she had lost her rudder.
Enthusiasm knew no bounds, and every boat with a whistle had it going, and although Dixie was well in the lead, it was evident that most of the applause was intended for Cero II, who was now second. Cero seemed now to be running her race and she gained perceptively on Dixie. Robert Deming, of Cleveland, owner of the Cero, was heartily cheered, and the great crowd was pulling for him and his wonderful little craft. LaTruda with Frank Neuse at the wheel, was keeping her steady gait and again showing herself to be a wonderful boat, and although far outclassed in both length and power she made it interesting for the others, and everyone present was willing to bet that she would finish the race at the same pace she was then going, although it was not expected that she could beat Dixie, Cero or Intruder. However, Intruder faltered and came to her dock, where it was found she had a broken rocker arm, and so she withdrew from the race. This left LaTruda third and Courier fourth.
On they came and as they passed the judges’ stand, Cero rushing along like a demon, was apparently catching Dixie. Burnham looked over his shoulder, and, Evidently becoming alarmed over the fact that Cero was gaining rapidly, opened up another notch on Dixie, and almost immediately she increased speed, but so too did Cero. (Mr. Burnham after the race, told the writer that he had been having trouble with Dixie, and that for two laps he feared that he would have to drop out of it, as one of Dixie’s cylinders refused to work, But Rappuhn, the reliable engineer, kept at it until he got her fixed.) At this time Dixie was running at a speed of about 37 ½ miles an hour, but Cero was tearing along close to 40 miles an hour, and it was during this lap that the fastest time of the race was made by Cero, five miles in eight minutes and seven seconds.
But alas! Cero met with an accident just when the excitement was keenest. The tension that was keeping the crowd together snapped suddenly, s she was seen to stop almost in front of the judges’ stand. It was only for a moment or two, but Dixie, taking advantage of this sudden stop, opened up a big lead. The crowd yelled, "Cero’s off again." However, she only lasted long enough to go a hundred yards or so, and came to a standstill, and then it was Dixie alone, if she could last through the race, and she never faltered. It was learned later that Cero II had burst a steam pipe; it was hastily repaired, but again broke beyond repair.
LaTruda, faithfully racing along at her steady clip, rapidly gained second place, while Courier still plugging came into third place, all the others having dropped out. "Dixie alone," proved to be right, and as she crossed the line a winner, the ovation given to Mr. Burnham was great.
No less grand was the performance of LaTruda, and Mr. Vars came in for hearty congratulations from scores, but none more earnest than Mr. Burnham, who tried to give all the credit to Mr. Vars, and considering the fact that Dixie is 40 feet long and has 250 horsepower, and LaTruda but 32 feet long with only 100 horsepower, she showed up wonderfully well.
Dixie covered the thirty-five miles in one hour 5 minutes and 13 seconds, an average speed of 32 ½ miles per hour, which proved that she was not pushed throughout the race, as she can easily do 35 miles an hour.
The storm that had been threatening for some time broke out before Courier had finished, and the crowd hurried to places for shelter. The boats that thronged the river were at the mercy of the wind and rain and, weighing anchor, they hastily made for Buffalo and other points along the banks and in a few minutes every place which a moment before had been full of life was deserted, with the exception of the Motor Boat Club House which was packed to the doors.
An evening program had been arranged for club members and their guests. Starting with a dinner it concluded with the presentation of the trophy to Mr. Burnham. Mr. Edwin Ross Thomas, donor of the trophy, made the presentation amid deafening and prolonged applause, and Mr. Burnham responded in a cheerful vein, complimenting the Motor Boat Club upon the success of its efforts in producing one of the most notable racing events that we have held.
By the terms of the deed of gift of the E. R. Thomas trophy the management of the Great Lakes championship race is permanently in the hands of the board of governors of the Motor Boat Club of Buffalo, who will act as an executive committee and appoint all sub-committees. The following named men made the arrangements for the meet:
Board of Governors—Commodore Harry Thorp Vars, Vice-Commodore Edward F. Dold, Rear-Commodore Fred H. Bliss, Treasurer Edward M. Wilkes, Secretary Phillip Gerst, Ulysses L. Caudell, William J. Gunnell, Thomas M. Moffat, E. M. Statler, Ulysses S. Thomas.
Mr. Burnham told the writer after the race that it was the most exciting event he had ever been in, and that it was the grandest race he had ever witnessed. He also made the startling announcement that Dixie had run her last race, and that she would never be seen in competition again. Now that Mr. Burnham has once won the Thomas Trophy he will have to win it again next year to retain it, or failing that will then have to win it three times not in succession. This in accordance with the deed of gift. Therefore, Mr. Burnham sees the necessity of having a boat of greater speed, as he will again probably be a contender for the Harmsworth and other events next year, and the probabilities are that he will take the Dixie’s engine out and put it and a duplicate in a hydroplane.
The race for this trophy next year will be held again under the auspices of the Motor Boat Club of Buffalo, and it is to be hoped that it will be as successful and as exciting as the one just passed.
(Transcribed from MotorBoating, October, 1910, pp.3-5.)
[Thanks to Greg Calkins for help in preparing this page — LF]