Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-09-21
The "Cnarles Jones" A winner.


Messrs. Charles L. Jones and Geo
D. Johnson, OF Leetown, and John P
Hickey, Of Washington, vent to
Michigan City, Indiana, on Thursday
of last week to witness the testing Of
the Charlie Jones" six-horsa gaso-
line launch, built for Mr.. Jones by the
Western Launch and Engine Works,
of Michigan City, with a hull design
patented by Mr.. Hickey. Shortly
after the Jones boat was launched, II
was entered in race with the Flor
ence, owned by the Western Launch
and Engine Works. The latter is a
design Of the Sportsmeu Special which
has recently won all the races with
similar craft in Philadelphia, New
York, and Boston. The two boats
were alike except that the Jones boat
was propelled by a siT-horse power
engine,-the Florence" having an
eight-horse power propeller, with the
further difference in hull construction,
the latter being of standard build.
In the trial OF speed at Michigan
City, Charlie Jones'" with 25 per
cent lees propelling power, beat the
"Florence" 81 miles per hour. After
witnessing the speed capacity Of the
two boats, their owners decided to
have them entered in the races on
Saturday under the auspices Of the
Chicago Power Boat Club on forty
mile course between Chicago and
Waukegan, Illinois.
The experience Of the two boats en-
route to Chicago is reported by the
newspapers of Chicago and Michigan
City. The race did not take place
and the Chicago American Of Sunday
thus explains why:
"Only one Of the three boats which
left Michigan City to enter the power
boat race yesterday afternoon from
Chicago to Waukegan reached this
city in safety owing to the fierce
storm which prevailed all night on the
lake. The Florence turned back
when but short distance outside the
Michigan City harbor. The Black
Diamond which accompanied the other
two was wrecked on the breskwater
of Thirty ninth street. The Charlie
Jones alone of the trio berthel safely
in the Randolph street slip.
The storm which the boats encoun-
tered shortly after leaving the Mich
igan City harbor increased in fury
until it became one Of the worst that
has struck Lake Michigan for years.
Tossed about by the wind and waves,
the little craft battled all through the
night against the elements.
It was the first trip Of the Charlie
Jones and the power boat won praise
On her successful maiden effort under
such trying conditions. The boat il
built under what is known as the
"Hicky patent" "a device for reduc-
ing the resistance at the load water
line.
The Michigan City Dispatch Of Fri
day referring to the test given the
Jones launch, says:
under the most favorable ciroum-
stances owing to the extreme rough
ness Of the lake, which by no means
permitted fair test compared with
what could be dobe in a calm sea, the
new launch built for G. E. jones Of
Leetown, W. Va, by the Western
Launch, and Engine Works made a
trial run yesterday over 6ge-mile
course in charge Of Engineer Charles
Hspke and Wheelmsn Henry Reece.
Her time was % minutes and so sec-
onds, which is eleven and one-tbird
miles an hour.
"It is the opinion Of competent
judges that under favorable condition
of the water Mr.. Jones' boat will very
easily clip thirteen miles an hour.
This was claimed TO be able to de-
velop about Is per cent increase OF
speed without additional cost Of pow
er, and from thserun yesterday in the
rough sea it looks reasonable that this
can be done"