1906 Palm Beach Regatta
Lake Worth, Palm Beach, Florida, January 30-February2, 1906

Although the programme for the first day, Tuesday Jan. 30th, was followed in the races, the results were hardly more than trials, since the handicapping, in a great measure, had to be gone over; the first event was called off and ordered again for Friday by the Regatta Committee, on account of the surveyor having failed to complete his work before the start. The handicapping was based on a five knot course, while the report up to that time showed the course to be only 4.50 knots.

The first event was 10 miles, Class C, with six entries. Coo, owned by F. M. Rice, failed to show up. Carita, owned by John S. Clarke and driven by James K. Clarke, got off first, followed by Allon, owned by Tyler Morse, of Boston, with a handicap of 6.33 m. Baby Bullet next off, owned by G. F. Paddison. Dorothy, owned by Wm. H. Sperry, followed by the Shadow, Geo. E. Andrews.

Carita came in first, official time for 10.35 miles was 44.37; Shadow 55.38. Baby Bullet dropped out on account of ignition troubles. Later this race was called off to be raced over again.

The second race in Class B, 15.525 miles, had the following entries: Blanche, C. S. Coggin; Simplex, A. D. Proctor Smith; Possum, H. L. Willoughby; Topsy, John C. King; 20th Century, L. F. Pettee; The Limit, H. C. Thompson and Westrell, C. B. Hill. The first report of the committee gave the Simplex III as the winner, with 48.52 as corrected time, with the Topsy 50.15. The 20th Century, third, 55.2; Blanche, fourth 1.00.8. The decision was changed, however, and Simplex III disqualified after a report from the sub-committee, for not having left a mark point on the port hand, as required by the Racing Instructions, and Topsy was declared the winner.

The third race in Class A, 20.70 miles was won by "23," George Gingras 1:8:53, corrected time.

Second: Comet, T. B. Collins, 1:21:43 corrected time.

In the first race Coo and Dorothy did not finish. In the second race Possum, The Limit and Westrell did not finish. In the third race Mercedes U.S.A. was incapacitated almost at the very start and Six Shooter met a similar experience later on, in her run.

These two fast boats were counted upon as affording much sport and making this race still more interesting than it was, as these two boats are very speedy.

The first race on Wednesday Jan. 31st was Class D, 10.35 miles. In this race "23" started tenth and came up to third place, finishing in 5 minutes better time than the winner, and had it been a 20 mile event would have been an easy winner.

On Thursday, Feb'y 1st, all rules were abandoned and the handicapping done on a basis of actual time made in previous races, and the results were more satisfactory. It seems that local builders have designed boats that come in the automobile class, but still have not the power to justify their rating, therefore they are rated with high power boats, and as a result had no chance of winning except accidentally, as in the case of competitors breaking down. In order to overcome this, and after so many of the fast boats had for one reason or another, dropped out, the Regatta Committee decided to handicap boats on previous performances since the races had begun.

The third race on Thursday, 15.525 miles was won by the Coo, a little 25-ft. boat with a 6-h.p. engine, but she was disqualified after the race on protest by H. L. Willoughby. The decision was made disqualifying her because she carried only one man, first prize going to Allon. This was the only mistake made by the committee in handicapping, the Coo getting some six miles lead in a 15 mile race. The best time made was by "23" which started last and about one minute after the Possum, which won third place by a boat length.

The week closed on Friday, Feb'y 2nd, with about the same enthusiasm among the contestants as marked its opening, and the prizes had fallen impartially along the list, giving much satisfaction to all concerned. The local boats coming in for a good share of the trophies.

There was a lot od sport over the first race which was of 10.35 miles, to take place of the postponed race of Tuesday. As only two boats were entered, George E. Andrews was induced to start the Shadow. He had no idea of winning against a boat like Allon but as Allon broke down, Shadow won easily.

The event of the day was a mile dash for the Sir Thomas Dewar trophy, an enormous silver shield mounted on wood. In both heats the Mercedes, owned by H. L. Bowden, was the winner, but the prize must be won at two successive meets of the association, so it will not become the property of Mr. Bowden, of Boston, unless he is again successful next year.

Several unforeseen things had happened to cause the number of boats entered in the races to withdraw. Dixie, owned by Mr. Schroeder, of New York, was in a freight wreck and failed to arrive in time. Dixie was not injured in the wreck, but was held up. White Fox, entered by Walter ferguson, of Stamford, Conn., also failed to arrive and will not be in any of the races here this season. Red Bird, a new boat entered by Geo. Dewey, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was withdrawn on account of dissatisfaction in handicapping. Bruiser, a new boat owned by James K. Clarke, was not in any of the races until Thursday, owing to an accident a few days previous to the races. Bruiser was a very promising boat and made good time on her trial trip. The accident consisted of the blowing out of all four cylinders. Every effort was made to replace them and this was finally done in time for Thursday's race, but the engine failed to give satisfaction so the boat was withdrawn.

H. L. Bowden's Mercedes U.S.A. which had given considerable trouble the first days of the races, was finally gotten in order. Six Shooter failed to make good after several trials, and was towed in after Tuesday's race, and again on Wednesday afternoon. The last time with a cracked cylinder, and she was later withdrawn altogether. Simplex III,

winner of the New York--Poughkeepsie race last September, was sold after the race on Wednesday to John C. King, of New York, and she was not entered in all the following races by her owner. The Topsy withdrew after Wednesday, leaving mostly an assortment of boats built by local builders to contend for the prizes. The best of these and the fastest boat seen here this season, except Mercedes, which is in another class, is a little boat built by george Gingras, of Rockledge. Fla., she has made better time over the course than the Simplex III, in a 10-mile rave, by 1 min. 8 sec.

It is rather unfortunate the success of the Regatta should have been marred by so many withdrawals, failures to show up, and breakdowns; however, the owners deserve a great deal of credit for transporting their boats such a distance at this time of year and it is to be hoped that next year's event will be run off more smoothly.

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

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