On August 10, 1920, the five speedboats convened in the Solent – a smooth stretch of water near the island – for the first “heat” (race). The Harmsworth Trophy racecourse was an elongated elliptical shape consisting of five laps. Each lap was about six miles – two extended straightaways anchored by a turn around a buoy at each end – for a total distance of approximately thirty miles. One heat was run per day. The first country to win two heats was proclaimed the winner.6
Miss America finally appeared, cruising regally over the calm and quiet sea that had been rough and choppy early that week. At 26 feet long, she was smaller and lighter than the Miss Detroit V. She had been designed to race on the very sort of smooth water she was now idling across. Miss America was piloted by Gar Wood and had two mechanics aboard. One mechanic was Phil Wood – Gar’s brother – while the other was Jay Smith – a son of Chris Smith. The crew of Miss Detroit V was no less a family affair. Her pilot was George Wood, another Wood brother; and one mechanic was Bernard Smith, another Smith son. Additional members of the Wood racing team cheered the competitors from the deck of a nearby yacht. They included Gar’s wife Murlen – who had christened Miss America with champagne – and Gar Wood Jr., the youthful race boat owner.7
When the starting gun fired, the boats that thundered across the starting line were piloted by daring, ambitious individuals whose names would remain legendary far past their lifetimes. Maple Leaf V was driven by English flying ace Harry Hawker, who would later partner with Tom Sopwith (of Sopwith Camel aviation fame) to build Hawker aircraft. Sir Algernon Guinness, an English baronet of the Guinness brewery family and world-record race car driver, drove the Sunbeam-Despujols. All their prior speed and maneuvering experience, however, gave them no collective advantage. The two Yankee boats quickly surged to the front, with Miss America slightly leading her sister. They appeared astonishingly light on the water, creating minimal wake even as they swept around the buoys. By contrast the British boats appeared to clumsily slosh and pound around the course, and the glistening wings of water they slung skyward in the turns – perpetually thrilling for spectators – now added to the ungainly impression.8
Miss America gained a substantial lead following only one lap, while Miss Detroit V began misfiring and slowed. Although Hawker briefly maneuvered into second place – a potential contest as Maple Leaf V carried twice the horsepower as Miss America – no threat materialized. Hawker eventually fell into last place, while Gar kept the throttles open and occasionally looked back for boats that never came. Miss America sailed across the finish line in an easy win, completing the 30-mile course in just over 38 minutes. Miss Detroit V was fourth, a casualty of burnt spark plugs.9
The racecourse was again a pleasing sight the following day; with clear skies, a light breeze, and large windjammer yachts scattered on the calm, gleaming water near the course. The sunny good fortune also shone on the Americans. The two Yankee speedboats immediately took the lead, Miss America streaking ahead like a mahogany comet. For the entirety of the heat, Gar Wood had no competition – Miss Detroit V did not close the lead enough to even stoke brotherly rivalry. When the two boats crossed the finish line – securing first and second place – Miss America had run an average speed of approximately 55 mph, with a best lap of 65 mph – without having yet reached her top potential speed.10
Gar Wood and Miss America – in a stunning display of what harmonious balance between hull design and engine innovation could achieve – were triumphant in the world’s unlimited-power, supreme speedboat championship. The Harmsworth Trophy was going
to America.
Miss America
6. Bradley, Motor Boating, p. 10.
7. Barrett, Speedboat Kings, p. 47.
8. Bradley, Motor Boating, p. 10.
9. Ibid., p. 11.
10. Ibid.
About the Author (Bio)
Kirsten N. Johnson is a life-long travel and boating enthusiast and the great-niece of Gar Wood, the legendary speedboat racer. Growing up in the mountains of western North Carolina, she developed an enduring passion for outdoor activities and sporting events. After receiving degrees in registered nursing and health information technology, for many years Kirsten worked as a travel nurse contractor at multiple healthcare sites throughout the U.S and Alaska.
Kirsten has spent many years researching the Wood family, interviewing family members, and collecting family letters and documents. She is an ACBS member of both the Smith Mountain Lake and Blue Ridge Chapters and a member of the Antique Boat Museum. She currently lives in Virginia, where she is writing a biography about Gar Wood and the Wood family.
Fun read! My grandfather worked for your great uncle starting in 1937 as he had worked for Edward Gray, developer of Grayhaven, where Gar had his home for years, especially during the racing days, there on the Detroit River. Grandpa worked on projects regarding ‘Storm Boats’, a project Gar had for WWII small landing craft and grandpa’s shop was at the other end of Grayhaven from Gar’s home.
Thank you for your comments! I so enjoy hearing about the individuals who worked with my great-uncle. Between his business and racing careers, he had a such a large network of associates, friends, and employees! I have come across many enjoyable stories from people who knew him, and that have given insight into different facets of his character. I appreciate them all!
An amazing career indeed! For one, it’s amazing he lived through all of it, welding a full fuel tank, being hit by lightning and having boats toss he and Orlin out! J. Lee Barrett’s accounts of the Detroit area ‘Speedboat Kings’ is a fun read too. Just wish my grandfather had lived long enough to hear the stories of working with Gar and also working with Edward Gray (of ‘Grayhaven’), Mr. Ford’s Chief Engineer at Highland Park. Amazing times for Detroit!
Hi Kirsten, I was curious if you would be willing to participate in a film I am doing about wooden boats with the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton NY… There is a small part of the film that touches on the Gar Wood race boats, and I’d love if you would help!
I am grandaughter of Joseph Brant, who received a phone call from Gar Wood when he was developing GrayHaven. My uncle heard part of the conversation and understood that Mr. Wood was employing Grandpa, who was a Mohawk Indian and contractor, in some capacity for the mansion build. This was in mid 1920s, Later in 1934 my grandpa was hired to design Bourbon distilleries in Bardstown Ky with some input, endorsement. or recommendation from someone in the Gar Wood organization. I tried to pin this down with more accuracy but with not much luck. Grandpa had an office in the Dime Building and did go to Bardstown where he designed and built five distilleries including Independent and notably Heaven Hill. I did hear from somewhere that Gar Wood Jr was an avid Indian admirer and thought that might be an important fact in why Mr. Wood had called Grandpa. I was a very young child living with my grandparents. There was also a man called Rupert Pletsch involved in these transactions and Fred Sanders was also part of the scene. Would you possibly be able to shed any light or ideas on all of this.? I am trying to write a family history and want to be accurate. Thank you for reading this. I would appreciate any response. I am also 92 years old, born in Detroit and currently living in South Dakota.
A very fun read Kristen. I was motivated to read about your great-uncle Gar because of a painting I bought of him in a win against George (brother) captaining Miss America Ii. The artist Jim Clary, known for his marine craft paintings, also captures a silhouette portrait of Gar in the water.
What a fascinating background you have and thank you for sharing.