Wilson Boat Sets Mark

Betters North American Speed record at 139.5 mph

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Picton, Ont., Oct 2 [1949] (AP) -- Harold Wilson of Ingersoll, Ont., drove his Miss Canada IV to a new North American speed boat record on the Bay of Quinte today.

He made two official runs, being clocked in 138.8 miles an hour in the first and 139.5 in the second. Both surpassed the listed North American mark of 126.6 mph set by Jack Schafer of Detroit in his Such Crust at Gull Lake in Michigan last August.

Wilson planned another attempt at the world record of 141.7 mph set by the late Sir Malcolm Campbell at Lake Coniston in England in 1939.

(Associated Press, October 2, 1949)

More Time Granted Wilson Speed Test

Powerboat Referee Relaxes Deadline for Record Try Till Weather Permits

PICTON, Ont., Oct. 4 [1949] (AP) -- Miss Canada IV, challenger for the world speedboat record has been granted unlimited extension to try to crack the 141.7 miles man-hour mark set ten, years ago by the late Sir Malcolm Campbell at Lake Coniston, England.

"This is the referee's authority -- to postpone and extend the sanction from day to day until you get suitable weather." Driver Harold Wilson was informed in a telegram received late today from Art Bobrick of Los Angeles, chairman of the Inboard Racing Commission of the American Power Boat Association.

Previously, Miss Canada had been allowed only three trials a day, weather permitting, over a three-day period starting last Saturday.

The telegram was received two hours before expiration of the sanction, and Miss Canada now will make her attempts under the rules of the Union of International Motor-Boating of Ghent, Belgium.

Wilson called off today's attempt due to unfavorable water conditions.

In his telegram, Bobrick said that the American record of 138.6 miles an hour made here Sunday by Wilson over the Picton Bay mile course had been officially recognised by the A.P.B.A.

(Associated Press, October 4, 1949)

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