1915: Hannibal Power Boat Races draw large crowds to Hannibal

The Macon Republican, Macon, Mo. July 9, 1915 newspapers.com

This is a reprint of a 100-year-old account of Hannibal's speed boat regatta.

Hannibal, Mo. July 7. Seven races over distances ranging from one to 25 miles were on Tuesday’s program of the eighth annual regatta of the Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association. The second heat of the 25-mile race for the American championship and the Webb trophy will be run this afternoon.

Engine trouble yesterday kept the Mark Twain, fastest boat at the meet, out of the championship event.

This boat, named after the most distinguished citizen Hannibal ever gas owned, and representing the St. Louis Yacht club, made the best speed of the first day’s event, by covering the 10-mile course in the admiral’s race in 16 minutes and 27seconds, an average of 37 miles an hour. It is possible that the Mark Twain will run in the championship event today.

Among today’s events are a 10-mile cruiser race and a free-for-all 20-mile race.

The Buffalo Enquirer took first place in the first heat of the 25 mile river race for the American powerboat and the Webb trophy yesterday.

The Enquirer, owned by William J. Conners, of Buffalo, N.Y., covered the 25-mile course in 41 minutes, 21 2/5 seconds. The average speed was 36.3 miles an hour.

Buffalo Courier- also owned by Conners, came in second and the Dodger IV, owned by Evers and Padgett of Quincy, third. Ten thousand persons – the greatest crowd in the history of the association – witnessed the first events of the regatta.