1906 Seattle Fourth of July Regatta
Lake Washington, Seattle Washington, July 4, 1906

Comet Is Speedy Boat

Making Distance in 29 Minutes and 50 Seconds — Exciting Race

First Motor Boat Regatta Success Comet is Speedy Boat

The speed boat Comet proved yesterday afternoon to the motor boat enthusiasts of Seattle and the 3,000 spectators that lined the shores of Lake Washington to witness the third annual regatta of the Motor Boat Club of Seattle, that she is the fastest craft that ever cut through the waters of Lake Washington. In an exciting race with the Aries twice around a five-mile triangular course, the Comet rushed by the judge's boat at the finish three lengths to the good, having made the ten miles in 29 minutes and 50 seconds.

The record of the Comet was remarkable as she carried five persons. With two men in the boat after she finds herself the Comet will do even better than this. The race between the Aries and Comet was the feature of the program. When Commodore Faben fired the starting gun both boats got a good start and when the first flag was turned a mile from the judge's boat the Aries had a lead of three lengths, making the first mile in less than three minutes. Down along the shore of East Seattle with their white hulls showing up against the blue background that the trees on the hills afforded, the two boats furnished the lovers of speed boats a sight that could not be surpassed.

The Aries turned, rushed around the stern of the judge's boat at the end of the first five mile leg a good three lengths in the lead, the Comet having some trouble with her engines. The Aries made the five miles in 14 minutes and 50 seconds according to Official Timekeeper Slater's stopwatch. The Comet gained on the Aries as the first flag was neared, but after the boats had turned and started along the east shore of the lake the Aries, which was handled with the greatest skill, drew away from the Comet and led by several lengths until the boats turned on the last leg of the triangle for home. Then the spectators saw a race that was worth going miles to witness. The Comet with a rush came up on the Aries, but the men in the latter boat increased its speed. it was not until the two boats were within 300 yards of the judge's boat that the Comet pushed her bow ahead of that of the Aries. With every bit of speed up the Comet rushed by the judge's boat three lengths in the lead.

The Delopia started in the race with the Aries and Comet. Although the race for speed boats over the triangular five-mile course ended unfortunately in a protest, it was an exciting race. The Mercury was the first boat off; the Delopia, the only motor boat ever built in Seattle, got off second in a handicap of 1 minute and 10 seconds; the Aries rushed through the water at the third gun with a handicap of 4 minutes and 40 seconds. The Mercury at the end of 38 minutes and 9 seconds passed the judge's stand in the lead but was disqualified for exceeding by more than 5 per cent the time on her trial trip. Her trial time was 42 minutes and 20 seconds. As she made faster than her allowed time of 40 minutes 8 2/3 seconds, she was disqualified and the race given to the Aries.

The Aries crossed the line second, making the ten miles in 38 minutes and 39 seconds. The Delopia finished exactly a minute later. The Delopia claimed the trophy on the ground that the Aries was disqualified for exceeding her trial time of 36 minutes and 30 seconds by more than 5 per cent, but the judge's refused to allow the protest. The Delopia also claimed that the Aries was disqualified for cutting across her bow on the last leg of the triangle.

Although the chief interest was in the speed boat races, there were races for every class of motor boat. The regatta was the most successful ever held on Lake Washington. The officials were: Commodore, Vince H. Faben; vice-commodore, Capt. James Nugent; official timer, John C. Slater; Dr. M. Varicle of Fairbanks, Alaska, umpire; Harry Boyrie and A. K. Fisken, referees; S. L. Crawford, master of ceremonies. Vince H. Faben's launch, the Dolphin, was used as a judges boat and a press boat. After the regatta Samuel L . Crawford gave a spread to the officials.

The races were run as follows:

15 to 20 foot, one mile and return — Won by Mosquito, W. S. Danner, owner, time 21:44; second, Myna, C. E. Plimpton, owner, 22:38; third, Ion, W. M. Price, owner.

20 to 25 foot, one mile and return — Won by El Rio, W. M. Colby, owner, 23:47 3-5; second, Beth 23, E. V. Bussell, owner, 24:02 3-5; third, Ysie, S. F. Woody, owner, 24:58 3-5.

25 to 30 foot, three mile triangle — Won by Zebra, S. M. Milne, owner, 26:36 4-5; second No Name, P. C. Stoess, owner, 27:39 4-5.

30 to 35 foot, three mile triangle — The Budlong, owned by George Budlong, was the only boat at the line when the starting gun was fired, She ran over the course in 18 minutes, 8 seconds.

20 to 25 foot, under 12 miles, three mile triangle — Won by Madeline, N. B. Abrams, owner, 21:57 1/2; second Racine, C. W. Chandler, owner, 22:04.

5-mile triangular course twice around, handicap — Won by Mercury, L. Roesch, owner, 38:09; second, Aries, L. Roesch, owner, 38:39; third, Delopia, Schertzer Brothers, owners, 39:39.

5-mile triangular course, twice around, free for all — Won by the Comet, 29:50; Aries, second.

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

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