Marine Motoring
British Motor Boat Club

1908 BMBC Burnham Regatta [Pt. 1 1908 BMBC Burnham Regatta [Pt. 2 1908 BMBC Burnham Regatta - Marine Motoring

Magnificent weather again favoured the Burnham regatta of the above club, which was brought to a successful close on Saturday. The programmes consisted of half a dozen events, for which there were 65 entries, and with one exception all the boats were on the station, although one or two mishaps reduced the number of starters in some of the races to a slight extent.

The first match on the programme was the flying mile championship races for the club's gold medal, for which five boats were entered and four competed. Lord Howard de Walden's high-powered Daimler II was an easy winner, covering the course in 2min. 10sec., a speed of 27.69 knots. She, however, lost 25 seconds at the start, which, deducted from her time, makes her speed over the mile 31.3 knots. The boat was undoubtedly running at her best, and the speed is the fastest she has done in public. It should be noted that the boats taking part in the match had the assistance of a strong flood tide, which was making about three knots. In view of this performance it was unfortunate that in the next race Lord Howard de Walden's boat should have met with a mishap to one of her motors, which will prevent her from racing again this season. In the race for the Motor Club's 100 guinea challenge cup, which was won by Blake Q, with Sea Dog second and Fleurette third, a couple of protests were lodged, which will necessitate the remeasurement of Blake Q and Sea Dog, so that the destination of the trophy is still in doubt. Altogether the meeting was the largest and best of the kind yet held in this country, the arrangements being perfect and everything passing off without a hitch. Mr. R. B. Robinson (secretary) acted as officer of the day throughout. Details:--

First Race.--Flying mile championship for the B.M.B.C. gold medal.

The start was timed for 10:40 a.m. Sea Dog's steering gear went wrong just before the start and she did not go to the line. Brooke II made an excellent start, crossing the line with the flash of the gun, and a second later Gyrinus and Defender were also on their way. mr. A. G. Fentiman in Daimler II started from well behind the line, being 25 seconds late in crossing. Brooke II was not at her best, and she is capable of better time. Daimler II never ran better in public and won by 26 seconds from Brooke II, which was second. The finishing times and speeds were:--

Daimler II's net speed over the measured mile was 31.1 knots.

Second Race.--Handicap for Motor-boats exceeding 10 knots. Course.--Start from an imaginary line drawn between two mark beacons on the Mussel Bank (north shore) below the Eastern Yacht Club at Burnham, thence down the Crouch to a mark boat moored off the north shore below the Reach, and back to the starting line. Four times round, rounding the lower mark boat and the one on the line to the starboard, a6 sea miles. First prize, a cup offered by the rear-commodore of the Burnham Yacht Club (Oswald B. Colls); second prize, £5, presented by the vice-commodore of the Burnham Yacht Club (A. Hall); third prize, £3, presented by the Burnham Yacht Club.

Daimler II was scratch and allowed Brooke II 28sec., Defender 9min. 28sec., Dylan 12min., Gyrinus 13min. 28sec., Sea Dog 15min. 8sec., Hole I 18min. 16sec., Irish Adamate 19min. 48sec., Arab 20min. 48sec., Fleurette II 20min. 8sec., Sleuthhound 31min. 8sec., Camilla 32min. 8sec., Fleurette 36min. 40sec., Ravissante 40min. 16sec., Dollydo 41min. 16sec., Spitfire 42min. 48sec., and Blake Q 43min. 36sec. Dollydo and Sea Dog did not start. They were got off at 11:15 a.m., and the scratch boat after doing a fine lap broke down. Ravissante won by nearly two minutes from Arab, which beat Brooke II by rather less than a minute. The finishing times were:--

Third Race,--Handicap for motor-boats not exceeding 10 knots. Course--same as previous race, twice round; eight sea miles. First prize, silver cup, presented by Rear-Commodore (F. May); second prize, £2; third prize, £1.

Norvic was scratch, and allowed Louise 13min.52sec., Melita 15min. 52sec., Dion Bouton 26min. 26sec., Davis 27min. 10sec., Cheripika 39min., Gipsy Girl 40min. 2sec., Pirate 49min. Advance did not go. The start took place at noon. A good race resulted in a win for Davis by 1min. 27sec. from the limit boat Pirate, which in turn beat Norvic, the scratch boat, by 12sec. The official finishing times were:--

Fourth Race.--Handicap for cabin cruisers. Course--starting from an imaginary line drawn between two mark beacons on the Mussel bank (north shore) below the Eastern Yacht Club at Burnham, thence down the Crouch to the West Buxey Buoy, leaving same on starboard hand and finishing on the starting line; 14.6 sea miles. First prize, B.M.B.C. Silver Cup; second prize, £3; third prize, £1.

Halcyon, scratch, allowed Allegro 8min. 50sec., Napier Major 11min. 45sec., Lethe 12min. 30sec., My Lady Ada 15min. 35sec., Cruiser 35min. 40sec. Halcyon did not go. Start noon. Only 14sec. divided the first and second boats on the handicap, while the third was also well in the race. The official times of finishing were:--

Fifth Race.--Handicap for yachts' motor dinghies and launches, not exceeding 17ft. over all. Course as second race, once around; four miles. First prize B.M.B.C. silver cup; second prize, £2; third prize, £1.

The scratch boat won by 13sec. from Dorothy, while a matter of 30sec. covered the next four boats.

Sixth Race.--For motor-boats exceeding 10 knots. Under M.M.A. rating and time scale. Course as second race. First prize Motor Club challenge trophy, value 100 guineas, and replica; second prize, £10; third prize, £2.

Brooke II was scratch and allowed Dylan 5min. 17sec., Defender 9min. 57sec., Fleurette II 17min. 19 sec., Arab 21min. 1sec., Hole I 21min. 33sec., Gyrinus 21min. 51sec., Ravissante 25min. 57sec., Sea Dog 34min. 50sec., Fleurette 47min. 24sec., and Blake Q 62min. 47sec. Of those entered, Takumono, Irish Adamate, Daimler II, Sleuthhound, Spitfire, and Dollydo did not go. Start 2:30 p.m. The result of the race was in doubt up till the last minute, Blake Q winning by 20sec. from Sea Dog, who beat Fleurette for second place by nearly 3min. The official times of the finishing were:--

Arab gave up, being short of petrol. Protests were lodged against Blake Q and Sea Dog on questions of rating.

(Excerpts transcribed from the Times of London, Sep. 14, 1908, p. 14. )

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

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