1957 Buffalo Launch Club International Regatta

Photo Page

Wha Hoppen Too at BUffalo before race
Wha Hoppen Too at BUffalo before race
Regatta chairmen present Conners Trophy to owner James Thompson
Regatta chairmen present Conners Trophy to owner James Thompson

Ed Chandler, Clarence Hackett, Art Asbury, Bob Schroeder, Thompson and George Trimper
Marvin Henrich of Detroit prepares to abandon burning regatta racer
Marvin Henrich of Detroit prepares to abandon burning regatta racer (1)
Marvin Henrich of Detroit prepares to abandon burning regatta racer
Marvin Henrich of Detroit prepares to abandon burning regatta racer (2)
Miss Ricochet, Gale IV and Wha Hoppen Too
Miss Ricochet, Gale IV and Wha Hoppen Too
Flamed Out of Chance for Regatta Cup
Flamed Out of Chance for Regatta Cup

Black smoke pours from the Wha Hoppen Too, $25,000 Gold Cup boat, as Wildroot Charlie whips by in an attempt to douse the flames with his wash in race yesterday at Buffalo, N.Y. Wildroot Charlie was leading the heat when pilot Bob Schroeder turned back in a vain attempt to Save the hydro.
Crucial Moment as $25,000 Hydroplane Burns During Buffalo Launch Club Regatta
Crucial Moment as $25,000 Hydroplane Burns During Buffalo Launch Club Regatta

A $25,000 Gold Cup-class hydroplane, the Wha Hoppen Too from Detroit, was destroyed by fire Sunday during the Buffalo Launch Club regatta. Marvin Henrich, 30, co-owner with Chet Bourne, Williamsville, was driving when the engine exploded. With both hands burned, Henrich was driven from cockpit into water (arrow). He was saved but the 3-ton, 31 foot craft was a total loss. (Photo by Bob Smith, News Staff)
Bob Somerville (Wildroot Charlie) traveling too fast to try for Henrich’s (Wha Hoppen Too) rescue
Bob Somerville (Wildroot Charlie) traveling too fast to try for Henrich’s (Wha Hoppen Too) rescue
Miss Ricochet, Wildroot Charlie and Wha Hoppen Too
Miss Ricochet, Wildroot Charlie and Wha Hoppen Too
Wildroot Charlie and Wha Hoppen Too
Wildroot Charlie and Wha Hoppen Too
Henrich, hand to face, brought to shore by Sheriff's Patrol
Henrich, hand to face, brought to shore by Sheriff's Patrol
. . . he had swum away, circles, from blazing craft
Sheriff's Department Skin-Diver Salvages Speedboat
Sheriff's Department Skin-Diver Salvages Speedboat

Don Richey, 23, Eggertsville, left, one of Sheriff Glasser’s skin-diving deputies, went to bottom of Niagara River to salvage this 13-foot hydroplane, A-9 Miss B. Haven, driven by Jerry Whitaker. Rescuers include Dr. D. Chalmers, left, and Otto Redanz. The sheriff’s skin-divers also salvaged the burned hydro, Wha Hoppen Too.
Wha Hoppen Too wreckage
Wha Hoppen Too wreckage (1)
Wha Hoppen Too wreckage
Wha Hoppen Too wreckage (2)