The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-22
LESSON Is LEARNED
IN GOLD CUP RACES
Miss Detroit's Victory Due
More to Reliability Than
to Great Speed.
OTHER BOATS NOT READY

Thirteen motor boats each having
great expectations were entered in the
series of races for the Gold Challenge
cup last week. OF these seven started
in the first race and five finished the
course. although some were in difficult
ties. In the second race five started
and three were able to finish and In
the third race three started and one
finished without any trouble n one
limped home for second prize. The Miss
Detroit was the only one of the thirteen
TO complete the three races without
trouble Of any kind.
OF course the engine makers have
come in for n good deal of abuse for
this showing. II is only natural for
all trouble to the engines. Engine
trouble covers a multitude OF other
troubles. and most of these troubles are
the fault OF those In charge OF the
boats.
The races this year have shown what
has been shown every year since the
sport was started. That is that owners
as "A rule take too much for granted
They do not experiment with their boats
until the races begin. They think that
after the engines have been insta He'd
all they nave TO do is to start them
and they will break records. They
do not or will not understand that to
develop a successful motor boat every
thing must be working In harmony.
The motors must he tried and proved,
the ignition must be thoroughly tested.
.propellers must be changed and expert
mented with. weights must be properly
adjusted and the helmsman and mech
anician must be in ha rnony with the
whole boat and equipment in order to
get its best speed.
With some of the new boats the model
was at fault. The Ankle Deep Too
turned over twice in her preliminary
trials. The Little Joker turned turtle.
but was repaired in time To start In the
FIRST race. when she again rolled over.
The Tiddlcdywink wrecked her engines.
Peter Fan VII. first knocked "A role in
her hull through hitting driftwood and
then had trouble with her cylinders. All
OF these except the Little Joker were
kept out of the races, but in the races
themselves the mishaps that occurie ed
were caused through lack of trials.
These boats cost from $4,000 to
s25,oOu each and to get them in perfect
racing trim they should be tried under
all conditions and driven to their limit
OF speed in order 10 find out the weak
nesses. II there is "a weak spot in the
engine 1t should he discovered before
the rae and then repaired and it is
only by experimenting with wheels OF
different types hat those In charge can
determine how to get the best speed
of the boats.
The Tech. Jr.. finished second in the
cup races and later she won the speed
trials and establis shed a new record.
The Miss Detroit. winner OF the cup Sc
RES, was fourth in these trials. She won
the cup through reliability rather than
through speed. and no other motor boat
III the race was in proper condition to
force her to do her best. Judging by her
speed record. had others been in as good
condition as was the Miss Detroit she
would have been beaten.
Col. !. Coleman du Pont. owner of
the Tech. Jr., was asked why the Tech
did not do better I'm the cup races. He
said that ON the day Of the first race
Arel. the designer, and his son could not
agree on the propeller the Tech was 10
use. APPEL wanted a 20 inch wheel that
would turn up better thar 1000 revo-
lutions. and Col. du Points son wanted
n 30 inch wheel which would ,urn up
about loo revolutions a minute. The
trouble was referred to Col. du pont.
who decided hat his son should have his
way in the first race. and II the Tech
ala not do well Apel's advice should he
taken in the second race. In the first
r4l0a tho Fr.ph fpSgk.l as,l =
ond race she was second. The Tech has
been in commission since June and those
interested in the boat had plenty Of time
to try out different wheels and find out
which size suited the boat best. They
waited To experiment until the races
There were fourteen Sterling motors in
the boats entered in this scric. Of races
Three h~oats-Ankle Deep, Peter Pan and
! little Joker-had two engines each. G. A.
'riqu is a man of rather small physique. |
nut MS shoulders were broad enough 10
carry all manner Of abuse. Each time
accident would happen the owner or
manaS ger would 90 to Criqul and throw
the burden Of blame on the motors. and
Cirqui took all the abuse without once
mad, He told each complainant
that his engine had been tested thor
oughly before II left the shops. and
attention to the fact that the tests
were made In the presence " the pur-
chaser or his agent. and so he could not
see why he should he blamed for break
Towns caused by late experiments.
James simpson was unable 10 start
The Peter Pan VII, and was bitterly dis.
appointed Cracked cylinders were the
1nal cause Of the boats failure To run.
has seven letters I'm his ma mo
The present Peter Pan Is the seventh Of,
The family. II was launched on the
I'M Of July, the seventh month. ana 10
get the boat still further, under the smell
Of the perfect number. at 7 o'clock IN
he eNeninG-and vet after all theso
the boat failed.
The next series Of races will he at Chi
and 1t is probable that some that
allied on Manhassct Bay will make bet
Ter s~howinGs,