1956 Harmsworth Trophy Race
Spinnin’ on Sport
By Matt Dennis
Saturday on the Detroit River, the first renewal of the historic Harmsworth Trophy Race in five years was held with Canada challenging the American right to the prized bronze plaque. The history of the competition has been a source of heartbreak and disappointment over the years. Most recent in the minds of Canadians were the efforts made in 1949 and 50 by the Wilsons from Ingersoll, who were unable to lick a mechanical jinx that seemed to follow their Miss Canada. Saturday owners J. Gordon Thompson and son Jim were disappointed in the outcome but they kept their thoughts to themselves as they offered unqualified congratulations to Owner Bill Waggoner and his driver Russ Schleeh. Supertest pilot Bill Braden had only praise to offer to his rival and boat. Around 3:30 in the afternoon the United States Air Force ace made a special trip down to Kean’s Marine Dock to offer the best of luck to the Thompsons, Braden and hard-working members of the Supertest crew. After the race on the officials’ stand, Braden praised the American win with “We couldn’t stay with him in the rough water. Russ drove a wonderful race. We might have done better in smooth water but Shanty is a fine-performing boat.” After accepting Braden’s congratulatory handshake, Schleeh said “I’m sorry for the dousing I gave you on the turn, you know I didn’t mean to.” These are the type of men engaged in one of the most dangerous sports in the world, true sport gentlemen in every respect.
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Shanty’s owner Bill Waggoner who hails from Vernon, Texas but races his boat out of Seattle is a comparative newcomer to the major racing circles. A wealthy Texan who holds vast oil-well interests, owns a large ranch and real estate could be termed as the retiring type. With his’ wife Mary Beth and members of the crew he accepted the victory with the assurance of a man who knows he is taking part in a serious sport and is providing the best in boat, driver and crew in the name of United States defender. In Schleeh he has a lean, 37-year-old driver who holds a transcontinental jet speed mark. The type of man who can say “give me the motor and I’ll do the rest.” His crew, headed by Bill Stead, who drives Waggoner’s smaller boat Maverick, are all highly trained aircraft technicians. Although Shanty has only been driven in three big races, at Lake Tahoe, Seattle and the Harmsworth, she has earned the respect of the powerboatmg world. She faces another test against Miss Supertest today but whatever the result, there is no doubt that Waggoner and Company will strive their utmost.
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Canada owes a debt of gratitude to James Gordon Thompson and son Jim for their untiring efforts in an attempt to bring the Harmsworth Trophy to Canada. Although their initial effort Saturday at Detroit was not crowned with success, Canadian boat enthusiasts have only admiration for the sacrifices entailed in presenting a formidable opponent against the U.S. An oil company executive with several other financial interests, the elder Thompson encouraged his son’s interest in sailing and later in the proposed plan to place in Harmsworth competition. Great hopes were held for the boat after new Dominion marks were set in 1955 and the spark of hope ignited for a try for the historic trophy. Ted Jones, young designer who was behind the American boat Shanty, lent a hand with work on Miss Supertest and Jim Thompson assisted in the engineering end. Early this year three-time Silver Cup winner Danny Foster joined the Thompson boating staff as chief consultant. Bill Braden is 41, has driven on the Detroit River for 16 years and an indication of the nerve and spirit of Braden was shown after the race Saturday when he was unable to stand after leaving the boat following the punishing ride against Shanty. The Thompsons, Braden and the crew of Miss Supertest have done an admirable job and we must recognize the spirit of high calibre gentlemen who would accept the task and do their best to accomplish something that has never been done before in Canadian history.
— August 27, 1956
Harmsworth in Grasp, Shanty ‘Dies’
Supertest Wins in ‘Walkover’
Forces Deciding 3rd Heat Today
By Tommy Devine
For the first time in a quarter-of-a-century, a Harmsworth Trophy challenger has won a race in the international speedboating classic.
William Greening Braden, the 41-year-old silver-haired Hamilton (Ont.) transportation executive, broke a long United States monopoly Monday when he piloted Miss Supertest to victory in the second of the best-of-three races of the 1956 series.
Braden and Miss Supertest took the race in a “walkover” after W. T. Waggoner’s Shanty I went dead in the lower turn near the Belle Isle Bridge on the second lap.
Mechanical trouble in the big Allison engine brought disaster to the United States’ defender after Shanty’s pilot, Lt. Col. Russell Schleeh set a record in the opening lap.
Schleeh averaged 110.357 miles per hour for his first whirl around the five nautical mile course. The old lap record was 102.676 mph, set by Lou Fageol in Slo-Mo-Shun IV in 1950.
Hollow though the Miss Supertest victory was it carried with it great significance. When Braden got the checkered flag after his 35 nautical mile joy ride it marked the first time since 1931 a challenger had accomplished the feat.
In that long ago day, Kaye Don in Miss England II won the opening Harmsworth race from Gar Wood with his Miss America VIII and IX.
Don’s victory set the stage for the most controversial episode in speedboating history. That developed in the second race when both Don and Wood beat the starting gun and were disqualified, leaving George Wood in Miss America VIII to tour the course alone and keep the trophy.
Braden’s victory over the “dead” Shanty necessitates a third and deciding race Tuesday. It will be held at 5:30 p.m.
The paramount question of course is whether repairs can be made in time for Shanty to appear on the course.
Schleeh and Waggoner were confident they could.
“We don’t know what the trouble was,” Schleeh said, “As I came down the straightaway on the Detroit side of the course, I felt a gradual lessing of power. Then when I was about two-thirds of the way through the lower turn she went out.
“It was some internal mechanical trouble. We’ll pull the engine and look at her. If a repair can’t be made, then we have a spare engine that can be put in the boat. We'll be ready for the race.”
George Simon, of Detroit, whose Miss U.S. II was beaten by Shanty in the final Harmsworth trial, offered Schleeh and Waggoner all the spare parts he has for his boats in addition to making available to them all his equipment to facilitate the repairs.
J. Gordon Thompson, owner of Miss Supertest, in a post-race statement regretted the Shanty’s mishap.
We like to win,” he said, “but we want to win when our opponent is standing up. We certainly hope Shanty can be out for the third race.”
Up to the time of the accident, it looked like Schleeh and Shanty were going to win by a larger margin than they did Saturday when the West Coast entry finished two miles in front of Miss Supertest.
Shanty technically was beaten at the start again. Braden crossed the line at a cruising speed, while Schleeh came along two seconds behind in a flying start but before the crafts had gone 200 yards Shanty was in front.
Then gradually Shanty began to open up daylight and by the end of the first lap held a 31-second advantage over Miss Supertest and had a lead of approximately half a mile.
Shanty’s first lap speed was 17 miles per hour faster than Miss Supertest. She appeared a good bet to beat the race record of 100.81 mph. which Fageol and Slo-Mo-Shun set six years ago if Schleeh wanted to push her.
But just when it looked like Shanty had the Harmsworth “in the bag”, disaster struck. The big craft conked out and started to drift helplessly near the Bridge.
Twice Schleeh crawled from his cockpit to tinker with the engine and then tried to restart the craft. It was no use. After Braden passed him twice more, Schleeh signaled for a tow and that automatically took him out of the race.
Braden never had to extend Miss Supertest. Speed wasn’t a requirement. His task was merely to finish the 35 miles. That he did with ease. He gradually cut his speed from 93 mph to 83 and took no chances on punishing the boat.
Miss Supertest’s race average was a modest 83.258 mph.
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While never tested, Braden said the Canadian challenger performed much better than she did in the opening race Saturday.
“The changes we made worked wonders.” he said. “It was just like sitting in an armchair for me.”
After a 30-minute postponement because of driftwood on the course and a 15-mile-an-hour wind which made the course choppy, the river flattened out and the boats had near perfect racing conditions.
— August 28, 1956
Supertest Scores 1st Canadian Win in Harmsworth
Shanty I Conks Out on Second Lap
Deciding Heat Goes Today
By Matt Dennis
The history of the Harmsworth Trophy Race is an exciting tale of joy and disappointment and early last evening on the Detroit River another chapter was written.
Miss Supertest II, the Canadian challenger, won the second heat of the event when a mechanical breakdown forced Shanty I out of competition on the second lap and brought new honors to the Dominion.
Never in the record of the International Race has a Canadian craft scored a heat victory and not since 1931 when the late Kaye Don accomplished the feat had a challenging boat scored a triumph.
To many the joy of winning might seem hollow a veteran pilot Bill Braden rode alone ever approximately 29 nautical miles, unchallenged as the “dead” Shanty drifted helplessly under the Belle Isle Bridge.
But to J. Gordon Thompson and son Jim, co-owners of the Canadian boat. Driver Braden and members of the crew, the Victory was an important “lift” and provided more impetus in their desire to gain more prestige and respect for Canada in major boating circles.
Disappointment was the lot of Texan Bill Waggoner, Shanty’s owner and speed driving ace Lt.-Col. Russell Schleeh. Onlookers had seen Miss Supertest gain a two second lead on the start, Shanty catching her before the first mile and roar around the course at an average speed of 110.357 m.p.h. for a new record. Braden had troubles before the first turn when the buoy on the turn broke loose and planning to cut short, he had to pull up hard while Schleeh had the advantage on the outside.
After the first lap, Schleeh said after the race he felt “a lessening of power” just after the start of the second and as “I headed into the turn she stalled.” Within seconds the anticipated flush of triumph became part of the bewilderment that goes with disappointment for the Shanty crew when they saw Schleeh stand up. crawl from the cockpit and twice try unsuccessfully to remedy the trouble and re start the engine But Shanty was through for the day and he signalled for a tow.
Meanwhile Braden kept Miss Supertest on course, passed Shanty and as the Canadian boat went by Schleeh gave his rival an encouraging wave from high on his boat that had failed him for the first time.
Following the race, the genuine sportsman like deportment that has been prevalent through the past week among all associated with both entr es was in evidence.
The 41-year-old driver of Supertest expressed his regrets to Schleeh on Shanty’s breakdown and congratulated him on bettering Lou Fageol’s mark of 102.676 m.p.h. for one lap set with Slo-Mo-Shun IV in 1950.
Schleeh in turn inquired if Braden had a better ride than the rough one of Saturday and both expressed their pleasure at “having another go” Tuesday.
Both owners emphasized the fact that speed is only part of the Harmsworth competition and although it is a motivating factor, mechanical performance and driving ability should never be overlooked In the final result.
As to Shanty’s damage a full report was not available but owner Waggoner said gear box, blower system and supercharger could all lie at fault but Shanty would be in shape even if it meant putting in a new Allison engine.
A quick inspection of Miss Supertest revealed no damage. Gear ratio variation and change of balance worked wonders was Braden’s comment with credit to Chief Engineer Bruce Wells. Consultant Danny Foster and pit crew.
Official timing revealed that the Canadian Rolls-Royce Griffon-powered craft completed the 35-mile distance in 29 mins. 01.55 secs, at an average speed of 83.258 m.p.h. Her average lap speeds were: first, 93.703; second, 90.827; third, 80.187; fourth, 82.019; fifth, 79.599; sixth. 77.659 and seventh, 81.378.
Although yesterday’s race was postponed half an hour due to debris in the river, it is expected both boats will answer the starter’s gun today at 5:30.
— August 28, 1956
Shanty Set to Roll
Crew Repairs Cup Racer
By Bill Doyle
Shanty I and Miss Supertest II were ready to race late this afternoon in the final heat for the Harmsworth Trophy.
Crews of the highly-rated Shanty worked all night and this morning repairing the gearbox which flew to pieces in the second lap of Monday’s heat. Supertest went on to win and tie the trophy race.
At noon the Allison engine of Shanty was placed back in the racer and Col. Russell Schleeh, her driver, is expected to put through a trial run before the race, scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
W.T. Waggoner, owner of Shanty, said. “We have just begun to fight and you can be sure we will be ready by race time.”
Col. Schleeh dismissed rumors that he had forced too much speed from his boat Monday (estimated 170 miles an hour on straight of way) causing the gearbox to give out.
“It was a small gear that caused the trouble. Mechanics claim they have never seen one break before. I was disappointed but you can be sure I will be out there today trying to make up for the poor showing.” the colonel said.
Crew members of Shanty credited Col. Schleeh with saving his boat from more serious damage.
“Russ shut the boat down as soon as he realized it was in trouble,” one mechanic said. “Some other drivers might have tried to keep going and ruined the boat for good.”
Meanwhile, at the Miss Supertest camp the pit crews were enthused and confident that their boat had a chance to take the Harmsworth this afternoon.
They had won a race Monday — maybe not a race of speed, but a race of mechanics and know-how. Never before had a Canadian powerboat finished or won a heat in the Harmsworth classic.
Monday was the first time Miss Supertest had been placed in the Harmsworth picture that the Canadian challenger was not on the receiving end of bad luck.
Driver Bill Braden never had to extend Miss Supertest. Speed wasn’t a requirement. His task was merely to finish the 35 miles. That he did with ease. He gradually cut his speed from 93 mph. to 83 and took no chances on punishing the boat.
Miss Supertest’s race average was a modest 83.258 m.p.h.
U.S. entry, Shanty, highly favored to take the race in two straight heats, had failed mechanically. Her failure knotted the competition at one heat each and left hope that Canada may capture its first Harmsworth Trophy today.
J. Gordon Thompson and his son Jim were not overly confident of today’s outcome, but were proud that their boat had proved its endurance Monday.
They were also proud of their pit crew who had worked since Saturday in an attempt to correct weaknesses shown by Miss Supertest in the first heat.
On the other hand the Shanty group was not so enthusiastic, they had gambled on tremendous speed and lost. Their boat, winding to speeds estimated at 170 miles an hour, couldn’t take it. Her gearbox crumbled and flew to pieces following the first lap of the race.
However, during the first lap, Shanty set a new record for Harmswortn competition averaging 110.3 miles an hour for the last five nautical miles.
Col. Russell Schleeh, driver of Shanty, couldn’t explain his boat’s failure.
“It just seized up and quit. I think the gearbox gave out. But we brought extra gearboxes and other equipment and I am sure we will be in there for the final day,” he said.
Bill Braden, driver of Miss Supertest, said the boat performed well Monday and was a great improvement over Saturday’s race. Bill felt that the new propeller and the change in balance added to the boat’s performances.
However, he was not called to exercise great speed for most of the race it was just a matter of making the rounds while Shanty I sat crippled, and motionless near the Belle Isle Bridge
Vic Leghorn, Doug Wimperis and Bill Wells, head mechanics in the Miss Supertest camp, are especially happy to have another crack at the Harmsworth Trophy. The three men have been “up against the time wall” since the boat ran into trouble on Lake Huron a week before the start of the race.
But now they have conquered the initial troubles and will continue to work on the power boat until race time (5:30 p.m.) today.
Harmsworth victor could well be the boat which best endures the hectic 35-nautical-mile course.
— August 28, 1956