© Copyright 2011 Julianne Dodds
Speedboat and hydroplane Championships
1921 - 1925
Major Donkin in Meteor retires after Century Tire breaks down.
Photo from Williams Collection
Friendly rivalry with the Major
Mac’s luxury motor yacht Malaita moored on the Brisbane
River in front of his Kangaroo Point home. The Botanic
Gardens and the old Mineral House building are on the other
side of the river.
Photo from Williams Collection
While this competition was going on for ‘bigger and better’ between these two contenders, another rival
arrived on the scene.
On the 3rd December 1923, Mr. J. W. Thornycroft, of the Thornycroft Motor Company, disembarked in
Melbourne from London. He announced that his new hydroplane, Lady Sid, was the first of its kind to
be brought to Australia. It was the same type that was used for patrol work on the Belgium coast by
Allies during the war. Lady Sid was thirty-three feet long and fitted with a 400 h.p. Thornycroft
engine. The appearance of this new contender had Mac and the Rymill brothers concerned.
The first official appearance of Century Tire was in Brisbane on 8th December 1923, when,
in company with Major Donkin’s Meteor, she attempted to establish a record for a flying mile. Century
Tire was not running well - she was officially timed at 1 min. 16 secs. under Meteor’s 1 min. 4 secs.
Engine size limitations were generally in place for races but there were still exceptional events
held for boats with differing horsepower.
The unrestricted Speedboat Championship of Queensland was set for 15th December between
Century Tire with a 450 h.p. Liberty motor and Meteor with two 350 hp V12 motors. For two days before
the race Mac and Donkin took some time off with a fishing trip on Mac’s yacht Malaita.
This was considered the most important motor boat race of the year, made more notable as these
two boats were without doubt the fastest in Australia. Spectators jostled to get the best vantage
point along the riverbank at the mouth of Breakfast Creek. When the race began at 2 o’clock in
the afternoon, it was a very high tide and the water was smooth with barely a ripple.
Before the event Century Tire suffered clutch problems. Mac’s mechanic tried a temporary repair by
jamming the clutch and making the drive direct. Although the race was sensational, the crowds were
disappointed. Century Tire’s clutch worked for a short time but then gave out completely, and she
broke down. Too good a sport to take advantage of Century Tire’s breakdown, Donkin retired Meteor,
making it a ‘no race’. On this occasion Meteor broke her own record by completing the flying mile
in 55 2/5 secs.
Century Tire was repaired and prepared for
shipment to Adelaide. Three weeks before the race she
was placed aboard the steamer Burwah. Remembering
the damage done to the hull of Miss Brisbane the
previous year, Mac had his hydroplane securely packed
on a heavy framework, which would make sure the hull
did not suffer any strain, and she was wrapped in a
tight-fitting canvas cover.
Mac left a few days later with his crew, travelling by
train to Adelaide.
Century Tire on the steamer Burwah bound for Adelaide.
Speedboat and hydroplane Championships
1921 - 1925
Major Donkin in Meteor retires after Century Tire breaks down.
Photo from Williams Collection
Friendly rivalry with the Major
Mac’s luxury motor yacht Malaita moored on the Brisbane
River in front of his Kangaroo Point home. The Botanic
Gardens and the old Mineral House building are on the other
side of the river.
Photo from Williams Collection
While this competition was going on for ‘bigger and better’ between these two contenders, another rival
arrived on the scene.
On the 3rd December 1923, Mr. J. W. Thornycroft, of the Thornycroft Motor Company, disembarked in
Melbourne from London. He announced that his new hydroplane, Lady Sid, was the first of its kind to
be brought to Australia. It was the same type that was used for patrol work on the Belgium coast by
Allies during the war. Lady Sid was thirty-three feet long and fitted with a 400 h.p. Thornycroft
engine. The appearance of this new contender had Mac and the Rymill brothers concerned.
The first official appearance of Century Tire was in Brisbane on 8th December 1923, when,
in company with Major Donkin’s Meteor, she attempted to establish a record for a flying mile. Century
Tire was not running well - she was officially timed at 1 min. 16 secs. under Meteor’s 1 min. 4 secs.
Engine size limitations were generally in place for races but there were still exceptional events
held for boats with differing horsepower.
The unrestricted Speedboat Championship of Queensland was set for 15th December between
Century Tire with a 450 h.p. Liberty motor and Meteor with two 350 hp V12 motors. For two days before
the race Mac and Donkin took some time off with a fishing trip on Mac’s yacht Malaita.
This was considered the most important motor boat race of the year, made more notable as these
two boats were without doubt the fastest in Australia. Spectators jostled to get the best vantage
point along the riverbank at the mouth of Breakfast Creek. When the race began at 2 o’clock in
the afternoon, it was a very high tide and the water was smooth with barely a ripple.
Before the event Century Tire suffered clutch problems. Mac’s mechanic tried a temporary repair by
jamming the clutch and making the drive direct. Although the race was sensational, the crowds were
disappointed. Century Tire’s clutch worked for a short time but then gave out completely, and she
broke down. Too good a sport to take advantage of Century Tire’s breakdown, Donkin retired Meteor,
making it a ‘no race’. On this occasion Meteor broke her own record by completing the flying mile
in 55 2/5 secs.
Century Tire was repaired and prepared for
shipment to Adelaide. Three weeks before the race she
was placed aboard the steamer Burwah. Remembering
the damage done to the hull of Miss Brisbane the
previous year, Mac had his hydroplane securely packed
on a heavy framework, which would make sure the hull
did not suffer any strain, and she was wrapped in a
tight-fitting canvas cover.
Mac left a few days later with his crew, travelling by
train to Adelaide.
Century Tire on the steamer Burwah bound for Adelaide.