1909 Monaco Regatta
The Monaco Motor-Boat Meeting
[6]THE SEA CHAMPIONSHIP
(From Our Special Correspondent)
Monte Carlo, April 8. The programme for the motor-boat racing at Monaco to-day consisted of one event--the race for the championship of the sea, open to cruisers of all kinds. The distance was 200 kilometres, and the first prize was £240, the second £100, the third £40, and the fourth £20.
In consequence of the length of the course an early start was made in beautiful weather, with only a moderate swell on the water. At ten o'clock 19 vessels of different design, length and power came to the line, affording an interesting sight as they dashed through the close company. Of these, three were British owned and two British built. The latter were Secret, owned by Mr. Waterhouse, built by Harden and driven by a Barriquant et Marre motor, and the Gyrinus, owned by Mr. redwood and Captain Field-Richards, built and engined by Thornycroft. The third boat was Brabanconne, owned by Mr. Moore Brabazon. She was built by Despujols and fitted with a Metallurgique motor. Several hydroplanes made their appearance, but notwithstanding the favourable weather conditions they were unable to stand the severe test of racing at full speed for such a great distance, and they gradually fell out of the contest.
The race proved an easy win for the French boat Chantecler, owned by M. Coulomb and driven with a Brazier engine. Running faultlessly all the way, she completed the course in just over four hours and three-quarters. Her hull was the old Trefle of last year, altered so as to come within the cruiser class. The British trio were exceptionally unfortunate. Secret broke down quite early, Gyrinus, after being fifth at the end of the 12th round (there were 32 rounds in all), developed lubricator trouble and had to give up, and Brabanconne, when in the fourth place after completing eight rounds, broke her petrol pipe and was forced to retire. Second prize was taken by Tele-Mors, owned by M. Crucq and fitted with a Mors motor. There was a fine struggle between Alex-Mercedes and Megevet-Picker for third prize, Alex-Mercedes winning by a little over four minutes.
The finishing times were:--Chantecler, 4hr. 45min. 58sec.; Tele-Mors, 5hr. 6min. 36sec.; Alex-Mercedes, 5hr. 42min. 17sec.; and Megevet-Picker, 5hr. 46min. 45sec.
THE COUPE DES NATIONS
Those in charge of the big racers were busy all day putting in finishing touches for the great international race to-morrow, the Coupe des nations, with a first prize of £400. The chief struggle will be between the British boat Wolseley, owned by the Duke of Westminster, and Panhard-Levassor, the French crack.
If the weather keeps fine and the ground swell moderates further, the American boat Dixie, should make a much better show than she did in Monday's race. The alterations to the other American representative, Standard, have been completed, and she was out for a short trial spin to-day. She has certainly been given increased stability, but at the expense of speed.
(Transcribed from the Times of London, Apr. 9, 1909, p. 3. )
[Thanks to Greg Calkins for help in preparing this page —LF]
Hydroplane
History Home Page
This
page was last revised Thursday, April 01, 2010
.
Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. Email us at wildturnip@gmail.com
© Leslie Field, 2002
