© Copyright 2011 Julianne Dodds
Speedboat and hydroplane Championships
1921 - 1925
1925 Australasian Motor Boat Championship in Brisbane
Mac’s win in South Australia meant that Queensland was the new holder of the Griffith Cup and that
for the first time in history the race would be held in Brisbane. The 1925 race for the Cup was set for
21st February.
The Rymills arrived in Brisbane from South Australia with their hydroplane, Tortoise II. They
wanted to see the Century Tire so Mac allowed them to check it out where she was moored below his
home at Kangaroo Point. George Whatmore had also built another hydroplane replacing his former
Gee Whiz that had burned. She had a small, light hull that carried an engine of 450 h.p. Lady Sid had
a new owner, Edith Napier Birks, who was, at that time, the only lady speed boat pilot in Australia.
Miss Albion was the fifth competitor, powered with a 250 h.p. Hispano-Suiza engine.
A few days before the big event, Mac advertised both Century Tire and Miss Coorparoo for sale.
He gave his reason as retiring from hydroplane racing. This was going to be his final competition in
speed boat racing.
For several days before the race,
spectators were thrilled with daring, flying
exhibitions by Lieutenant Horrie Miller in his
Curtis Seagull who planned to meet the
Australasian championship competitors in a
special challenge race after the conclusion of
the main race. Instead of skimming along on
the water during the race, Miller’s flying boat
would fly above the speed boats.
On Friday morning, the day before the race, Mr. E. C. Griffith, honorary secretary of the Motor Yacht
Club of New South Wales, and donor of the cup for the championship, along with other visiting
yachtsmen attended a civic reception at the Town Hall for a midday luncheon and official welcome at
the Royal Queensland Yacht Club rooms directly afterwards. The Acting Mayor, Alderman T. Wilson,
welcomed the visiting yachtsmen from the Southern States, some of whom were taking part in the race.
At the luncheon, it was announced that Major Darcy Donkin, owner
of the hydroplane Meteor, had donated a handsome trophy, valued
at 40 guineas to go to the winner of the Cup, independent of other
prizes.
Right: Lieutenant Miller’s seaplane skimming along the
surface of the river at more than 60 miles per hour.
Photo from Williams Collection. Donated by
Roger Moore from Redland Bay, Queensland.
Weribone Cup
Presented
By
Major Darcy Donkin
Won by
J. Mc G. Williams Century Tire
Australasian Hydroplane Championship
21st February 1925
The assemblage in the Brisbane Town Hall which welcomed the speed boat representatives.
Mac is seated front row far left.
Speedboat and hydroplane Championships
1921 - 1925
1925 Australasian Motor Boat Championship in Brisbane
Mac’s win in South Australia meant that Queensland was the new holder of the Griffith Cup and that
for the first time in history the race would be held in Brisbane. The 1925 race for the Cup was set for
21st February.
The Rymills arrived in Brisbane from South Australia with their hydroplane, Tortoise II. They
wanted to see the Century Tire so Mac allowed them to check it out where she was moored below his
home at Kangaroo Point. George Whatmore had also built another hydroplane replacing his former
Gee Whiz that had burned. She had a small, light hull that carried an engine of 450 h.p. Lady Sid had
a new owner, Edith Napier Birks, who was, at that time, the only lady speed boat pilot in Australia.
Miss Albion was the fifth competitor, powered with a 250 h.p. Hispano-Suiza engine.
A few days before the big event, Mac advertised both Century Tire and Miss Coorparoo for sale.
He gave his reason as retiring from hydroplane racing. This was going to be his final competition in
speed boat racing.
For several days before the race,
spectators were thrilled with daring, flying
exhibitions by Lieutenant Horrie Miller in his
Curtis Seagull who planned to meet the
Australasian championship competitors in a
special challenge race after the conclusion of
the main race. Instead of skimming along on
the water during the race, Miller’s flying boat
would fly above the speed boats.
On Friday morning, the day before the race, Mr. E. C. Griffith, honorary secretary of the Motor Yacht
Club of New South Wales, and donor of the cup for the championship, along with other visiting
yachtsmen attended a civic reception at the Town Hall for a midday luncheon and official welcome at
the Royal Queensland Yacht Club rooms directly afterwards. The Acting Mayor, Alderman T. Wilson,
welcomed the visiting yachtsmen from the Southern States, some of whom were taking part in the race.
At the luncheon, it was announced that Major Darcy Donkin, owner
of the hydroplane Meteor, had donated a handsome trophy, valued
at 40 guineas to go to the winner of the Cup, independent of other
prizes.
Right: Lieutenant Miller’s seaplane skimming along the
surface of the river at more than 60 miles per hour.
Photo from Williams Collection. Donated by
Roger Moore from Redland Bay, Queensland.
Weribone Cup
Presented
By
Major Darcy Donkin
Won by
J. Mc G. Williams Century Tire
Australasian Hydroplane Championship
21st February 1925
The assemblage in the Brisbane Town Hall which welcomed the speed boat representatives.
Mac is seated front row far left.