The Daytona gazette=news. (Daytona, Fla.) 1901-1922, 1907-02-16
POSTPONED
UNTIL 1908.
The MOtorboat Race from Miami to
Daytona for the Allen Trophy
Deemed Unwise for This Year,

[
Deemed Unwise for This Year.
The Palm Beach-Niami regatta ended
last Saturday at the Magic City in
blaze of glory and fireworks, The affair
was one of the most gorgeous of its kind
ever held in southern waters, and with
the many things the managers had to
contend with, incident to the inception
of such events the races were neverthe-
less well managed, well run and well
handicapped The committees were
composed OF men of national reputation
as yachtsmen and consequently worked
Tor the best interests of the sports.
Many yacht owners were present to
witness the events and were well pleased
with the results, and predict that this
regatta has laid the foundation for a Sc
ries of speed events in Florida waters in
future that will vie with any which are
held in other waters of the world.
This regatta will demonstrate to man
utacturers of speed boats it is to their
interest to support a series of races in
Florida, us it would give them an op-
portunlty to prove the merits of their
models before Il large number of specta-
! tors whose circumstances permit them
! to indulge III purchases of costly water
craft that are denied TO others less at
fluent in this worlds goods.
| Considering the time unwise this year
for the long-distance race from Miami to
Daytona for the Commodore J. H. Allen
| trophy, 1t was decided to postpone that
event until next year, when the opening
of the Florida East Coast canal to
| ST. Augustine gives promise of much
larger turnout of boats, especially from
| the north. The reasons for the post
ponement are embodied in the follow
ing letter to Commodore j. H. Allen. of
the Halifax River Yacht Club:
! Miami, Fla, Feb. 9, 1907.
! Com j. H. Allen, Halifax River Yacht
Club, Daytona, Fla.
Dear Sir: That power boating in
southern waters Is working toward 4
most brilliant future is the opinion of
a large number of men who have fol-
lowed the regattas held this year at
Palm Beach and Miami
The conditions for the development
of the sport are ideal. and with careful
and intelligent management we believe
the South ;;ill have as fine competition
III this line "a can be found anywhere
in the world.
The completion of the canal work now
under way should make possible next
year continuous inside journey from
St Augustine to Miami We believe
that if this fact is immediately called
to the attention of owners and manu-
facturers III the right way, a grand
and representative fleet of power boats
could be induced to come South in 1908.
To assure the success of such move
ment the unhinching support of resi-
dents along the water ways to be COW
cred, and concessions from hotels, steam
ships and railroad companies interested
would be an absolute necessity.
In return i series of well managed
power boat events equal to the best in
the world could be given at prominent
points where conditions were favorable
In view of this encouraging outlook
we believe mistake would be made
in holding the initial contests for your
long distance race this year
With further time for the proper adj
Ncrtlsing of the same and to convince
the manufacturers Of the commercial
possibility offered in sending types of
their products to southern waters. an
entry consistent with the beauty, dig
nifty and value Of the trophy would be
obtained. You are privileged to make
public the contents of this letter which
cmbody the sentiments OF mel earnestly
interested in the welfare of power boat
ing.
Signed, Russell \. Field, Walter {.
Baker, F. Ed Spooner. " NJ Bieling,
W. II. Merrill, John {. Wetmorc and
twenty others.
Much interest Is being manifested in
naval circles relative to the purchase
by Commodore Allen of the Bay City
Mica racer, Tic Secret, Commodore
Allen only bought the boat, her new en-
sine being considered mlsfit, and after
putting III 4 new engine viii race her.
He i said to regard the outlines Of The
Secret ~ nearly perfect, and this water
craft Will prove quite an addition to the
Halifax River Yacht Clubs feet.