New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-19
RECORD FOR AUTO BOATS.
TiRgt-et-Um III and Szciftsure 90
More than % Niles an Hour.
IRT TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIsUNE.l


Newport, p I. Aug. 1S.-If the record is correct
and there is every reason TO believe that is. the
automobile racing boat Vingt-Et-Un II owned by
". L. Brooks, OF the New York Yacht Club, and
the swiftsure owned BY Captain Nat HarreshoH
of the club. broke to-day all speed records
for any class OF power boat in this country These
two boats and the Mercedes entered by w s
burgess or Boston, were the starters in the class
Tor automobile racing boats in the New-Yorz Yacht
Clubs power boat Of eight miles with two
turns sixteen miles in all The vlnght-Et-I-n
covered the distance in the remarkable time OF
1orty-two minutes hfty-eight seconds. which is at
the rate Of 90 knots hour or 25.67 statute
miles an hour. He-reshoffs boat finished ONLY
three seconds behind her, so she made practically,
the same speed. The Mercedes finished six min
utes ana thirty seconds after the Vinght-Et-U-n
ana made ls-A knots an hour. 22S3 statute miles
Inc cIdhuardS record time, made juno p was
at a rate Of 20.52 knots. or $50 miles an hour
This was hailed the fastest time that had ever
been made by power boat. The Kauawha in her
race for the Lysstrata Cup, had made 1890 kncts
an hour six days before.
The entries in the smaller class were \ q
HerreshoH, jr-'s. Neon and J. H. Hammond If g
Wayfarer The latter covered the eght-unile course
once in 50 minutes Il seconds but she had to allow
the Neon 10 minutes 81 seconds. so the latter Won
In the big class the Sw1ftsure allowed the Vtngt-
On 1 minute IS seconds. so the latter won on cor
Tected time by minute 80 seconds.
Inc course was from the tug Unique anchored
ABOUT 5O0 yards west OF Fort Adams. around a
and return. over the course, and repeat
Captain Nat Herrsshof steered the Swiftsure
I. NJ Hamilton the Vingt- IN and H I. Bow
den. the Mercedes.
There was a stiH northwest breeze blowing that
kicked up nasty sea in NarTagansett Bay, threat
entng trouble for the small boats. The preparatory
signal was given 12:05
The Mercedes was lying parallel to the line when
the signal was given In a moment she had turned
and was across the line IN the lead. Like shot
OUT or gun. the long white bpa Sz-ifr
sure dashed by the committee boat few seconds
later, then the little Neon, which was passed a.
moment later as # she had been at anchor by
Ningt- Et-Un II. going at q railroad sueed Cut-
ting the water ike knife she sped away TO the
westward after the Herreshof boat. and in two
minutes three clouds Of spray all that marked
the position OF the three boats
The Wayfarer had crossed the line last. and was
also sending spray far astern. The Mercedes
held her own with the larger boats for little
while. but scon after the first turn was made,
about 4 mile from the start. they passed her.
Nothing was seen OF the boats by the fleet until
they had rounded Gould Island and were conline
back for the home mark. The Herreshof boat was
still ahead and the excitement was intense. when
they rounded the stake at full speed appearing in
danger OF turning turtle every minute.
: The time taken they flashed by was Swift
sure E;a:34: Vingt-Et-Cn II. 12;3la2: Mercedes
E:3432 Ningt-Et-Un II only eight seconds
sstern. She seemed to make the best turn. and as
they dashed away again on their second round the
4atteF NSS P4diA4S gaming on the 6SrreShOn boat.
a few minutes after they had rounded the first
mark. the smaller boat had an over lap on the
big one and in five minutes she had passed her.
Only a couple OF lengths separated the flyers.
Down they came before the wind for the finish.
Such sight had never been seen before in the bay
1t was difficult for III committee keep the course
clear, so eager were those adoat see the finish.
| Gaining very second. Herreshoffs boat made a
brave effort 20 reach the line it seemed almost
| the toss OF coin which would cross Il first Ry
only three seconds the Vingt-et-Uu did H. amid the
widest cheering and chorus OF steam whistles
II was learned afJer the that the Mercedes
cane near sinking the trip. she was half full
| OF water az the finish. aid the had bailed
! her continually. The crew wore rubber coats and
! life preservers over bathing tru1ks. The sum
mary: