The 400-hp British Race Wolseley-Siddeley The British Challenger for the Harmsworth Motor-Boat Trophy Wolseley-Siddeley ~ Daimler III Match Race

Too much wind and too much rain in the morning on Saturday were a sufficient explanation for the non-appearance of several boats which, there was reason to hope might have met to carry out the Motor Yacht Club's normal programme of a week-end. Nevertheless the one race of the afternoon was of remarkable interest, not indeed, as a race, but because it illustrated in striking fashion the turn of speed of which the Duke of Westminster's "Wolseley-Siddeley" is capable.

Steered by the duke himself, the Wolseley-Siddeley allowed Dylan, Lord Howard de Walden's Daimler boat, 18min. over a course of as nearly as may be 24 miles, and won with 3min. 13sec. in hand, completing the course in 50min. 43sec. Now the Duke of Westminster's boat is the craft on which the hopes of this country rest so far as the principal international event of the year is concerned. it is therefore worthwhile to observe that in the opinion of critical experts this time represents, as it stands, a speed of 28 knots, which would make this 40ft. boat the fastest vessel of her length afloat so far as men know; and it should be borne in mind that she is almost a good deal faster when extended in favourable circumstances, for it would not have been prudent to run her "all out" on Saturday, and further, the turns of the eight miles lap from the Enchantress are of a kind to necessitate slowing down somewhat. The boat also throws her water off when at speed in a very attractive manner, conveying the idea that resistance was overcome by science rather than by brute force.

(Transcribed from the Times of London, July 13, 1908, p. 17.)

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

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