Estelle IV
[1929]England's New Challenger
England is about to make a most determined attempt to capture the British International Trophy from the American sportsmen who have held it in their custody for many years. Miss Marian B. Carstairs who made an unsuccessful attempt last year to capture this famous trophy with her two boats Estelle I and II, has since then completed two additional boats, Estelle III and IV. The third was one discarded as unsatisfactory and the last one is now in Canadian waters undergoing final trials and tests. Miss Carstairs represents the English yachting world and she is one of the strongest competitors which Gar Wood will face in this famous race at Detroit on Labor Day. Miss Carstairs will pilot this boat herself and from statements which have been made, very high speeds are predicted for this new boat and while no one has any idea what the speed will be with full power. it will be shortly tried out and possibly its ability will be known before the contest takes place.
Miss Carstair's entry in what has been a man's competition heretofore, opens up another field for the women in which to try their skill against that of the men. She has had ample experience driving high speed boats and was only put out of the running in last year's trials by an unfortunate accident to her boat. She is accompanied by Captain Campbell Marshall who will assist her in driving the boat and her mechanic Joseph Harris.
The boat itself is an outstanding example of private enterprise since it was built in a small boat yard which Miss Carstairs has purchased and which is used exclusively for the purpose of building her racing boats. Contrary to the earlier English practice which favored the sewn method of constructing boats of this kind, Estelle IV has been built with a double thickness of planking as is the practice in the fast boats in this country. The thickness of the bottom totals 1⅛ inches while the frames are steam bent and closely spaced. It is of the regulation single step hydroplane type, 35 feet in length, with nine and one half feet beam. No particular attempt has been made to cut down the weight and it is reported that the boat will weigh well over four tons. Considerable attention has been paid to appearance and stream lining as the wind resistance at high speeds is a large factor in retarding a boat of this kind. A substantial water tight bulkhead just forward of the engine compartment will help to prevent
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(Continued an page 80)
(Reprinted from ?, 1929)
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