Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1923-07-09
THOUSANDS SEE
FAST BOAT BURN
Black Bird, of Red Bank,
Catches Fire Going 45
Miles an Hour
CREW JUMPS; is SAVED
TWo-Day Regatta Witnessed
by Many--Yacht Races and
Rowing Matches

Thousands of spectators on boats,
piers, and the waterfront of this
city and Tottenville were given a
thrill yesterday afternoon when the
. large speed boat Black Bird, own
ed and driven by Captain Pierre A.
Proal of the Red Bank Yacht Works,
{ burst into flames as she was finish
ing the second leg of a three 1ar
race in the handicap event. The
boats speed at the time of the mis-
hap was forty-five miles per hour.
A black cloud of smoke was seen
to arise from the engine as the
Black Bird began to take the turn
about the buoy in mid channel off
Van Pelts boat house. The puff of
smoke was followed by spout OF
flame which the wind blew back
over the sides and into the water as
the gasoline fed flames rapidly
spread to the cockpit in which the
driver and his mechanic had been
sitting a few moments before.
The Black Bird was the fastest
and largest boat in the speed-boat
handicap event and had given the
too much for it to oyertake. The
Black Arrow, AL Simonsen's boat
from Sewaren, had gone two-thirds
of the distance of the course, six
miles, before the Black Bird started
The other boats had large leads also
The Black Bird was held SO long
by the starters before being per-
mitted to start that many of the
spectators did not believe 1t would
enter the race. 1t seemed almost
incredible that this boat should go
around the course three times while
the other boats were finishing their
one remaining lap. Finally the
Black Bird was given the gun and
it was off with a rush.
Its 250 horse power engine roar
ed, the bow leaped out of the water,
the stern settled and she was off
on the straight away to the first
buoy of the triangular course. The
bow of the Black Bird was so high
out of water the helmsman could
not steer without standing up. AS
the boat increased in speed,s more
and more of the boat climbed out
of the water until it looked as though
the propeller and rudder alone were
in the water.
Swept Past Other Boats
Under the skillful handling of
Captain Proal, the Black Birc
swept past the other boats. it max
ing the leg from the first buoy tc
the lighthouse in remarkable time
Coming back up the Sound, 1t was
given a noisy welcome as 1t COM
pleted its first lap, making the turn
at high speed and a dangerous an
gle. With the engine warmed ur
it started on its second lap with
more speed than it displayed on the
Hrst round.
The Black Bird passed the Jersey
/ Flyer at the first buoy and over
took the Black Arrow at the Light
house. It's chances of making an
other lap before the Black Arrow
had finished looked slight but there
are many slips IN a speed boat race
and the excited spectators would
not have been surprised at any de-
velopment.
AS the Black Bird came into the
Sound, finishing her second lap, all
eyes were upon her, the speed al
which she was travelling making ii
hazardous to complete the turn
about the buoy in mid-channel
When about 100 yards or less from
the buoy, the thrilled spectators
saw cloud of smoke arise from the
CContinued on page %
p A. Hdwe. for Jantzen Swimming Suits