Two Motor Boats For Monaco Races Racing Motor Boat Wrecked in Trial Trial Trip of the "Standard" Two American Boats for Monaco Models of Dixie II and III

The illustrations shown herewith [not available at this time --LF] are of the models of Dixie II and Dixie III, which were designed by Mr. Clinton H. Crane, the latter for competition at the Monaco races. The new Dixie will have the same engine that gave such good results in Dixie II, and the new hull will be practically the same with the exception that she was given slightly more beam in the after sections of the boat. A peculiar fact in connection with this change was that the models, when towed in the testing tank at Washington, showed that up to 32 miles an hour last year's hull drove easier than the new one, but that above this speed, the wider stern and increased bearing aft of the new hull permitted it to be driven easier than the old one at speeds above 32 miles per hour. The engine will be practically the same, with the exception that it will be equipped with two carbureters, which the designer states give an increase of about fifty revolutions.

Standard, which Mr. Crane states should drive at about the same speed as the new Dixie, close on to 38 miles per hour, is a peculiar high-speed boat in that the engine was not built for racing and is of such weight that the designer was forced to give the craft at least a ton more displacement than he would ordinarily give a high-speed craft of her length, and over a foot more breadth. The boat is double-planked and weighs, exclusive of engine, 3,000 lb., her total displacement being 14,000 lb. She is 16 meters or 49.2 feet over all and has a breadth of 7 feet 1 inch. The engine, which was formerly installed in the old Standard hull, is a six-cylinder, double-acting machine of 10-inch stroke and 10-inch bore, which developed on the brake test 526 h.p. These two boats will represent America at the Monaco races, and if they perform up to the designer's expectations and reputation, they should bring back to the United States some records and trophies. It is very unfortunate that these boats were not thoroughly tested out in home waters before being sent abroad to compete against the cream of Europe. Standard had two trials, in the first of which she either hit something or got away from her crew, with the result that she was towed in upside down, and on the second trial the weather was so inclement that the crew nearly froze to death, and while the engine was thoroughly tested out, she goes abroad practically untried. Dixie II has never been run, and the engine, while practically the same, as stated before, has had some minor changes made but has not been run, so we go abroad with some good material and some hopes--of the results, we shall see later.

(Transcribed from The Rudder, April 1909, pp. 380-381)

[Thanks to Greg Calkins for help in preparing this page —LF]

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