13 replies to this topic

[f1steveuk]

Motor racing connected, but a boat!

 

I have all but completed the manuscript for a book relating the story of Reid Railton, John Cobb and the jet boat Crusader.

 

As luck would have it, I have come into another two archive boxes of correspondence related to the project, which has allowed me to put a bit more meat on the bones, and as such, I am looking for anecdotes, data, documents and pictures related to the design, construction and running of Crusader to balance out the technical and analysis portions. Or indeed if you know of something or someone elsewhere you can point me in the direction of. 

 

Obviously, anything that is used will be properly credited. 

 

I am aware that it was a] a while ago, and that b] the two main players avoided the media of the time with a vengance, but if I don't ask, I may miss a gem or two!!!

 

 

Mr Doug Nye has already chipped in some lovely stuff, over to the "massiff"!!

Edited by f1steveuk, 19 December 2018 - 13:36.

[Allan Lupton]

Since Karl Ludvigsen has written the definitive book about Railton recently, he would still know a great deal - however he'd probably suggest you buy his book, but you never know.

[f1steveuk]

Since Karl Ludvigsen has written the definitive book about Railton recently, he would still know a great deal - however he'd probably suggest you buy his book, but you never know.

Allan, the downside with that is, it was I who did the research on the subject for Karl's book, and he has credited me where he has used my manuscript in his text, so I am pretty  certain there is not much Karl could tell me. Whereas Crusader takes up around six pages in Karl's two volume, 400 page biography, my manuscript is currently running at 487. 

[f1steveuk]

No one? I cannot say I am surprised, Cobb redefines the word private!

[ensign14]

No, but I'd be fascinated to see the book. 

[Allan Lupton]

No one? I cannot say I am surprised, Cobb redefines the word private!

That seemed to run in the family. There was a boy at school called Stephen Cobb and we only learned that he was related when the fatal crash happened - most of us (other 14-year-olds) would have been insufferably proud of a famous relative like JRC.

[fuzzi]

I know someone who doesn't use this forum, but knows about fast boats and he helped Karl Ludwigsen on the Railton book. He may be able to help. Please send me a message and I'll let you have his contact details.

[Catalina Park]

I had a look through the Australian newspapers online and didn't come up with anything of value. Nothing technical at all.

[f1steveuk]

The technicals Iam fine with, it the personals that need some extra heft!!

[Catalina Park]

There was mention of initially planning to run it at Lake Windermere.

There was also mention of another jet boat at the same time. I will see if I can find it again.

[Catalina Park]

I don't know if these offer anything new?

https://trove.nla.go...er/page/2036778

https://trove.nla.go...er/page/1754687

https://trove.nla.go...er/page/1082668

Edited by Catalina Park, 03 January 2019 - 06:59.

[f1steveuk]

Cobb visited both Coniston Water and Windemere in the Lake District, i fact, when he was at Coniston, the wreck of Campbell's Blue Bird K4 was still lying on the shore. Access was restrictive,and Windemere, though it offered much in facilities, was deemed too big, with too much, "traffic". Curiously, neither venue was ever announced as even a possibility, so some interesting journalism!! 

 

There was indeed another jet boat running at the time (two, but was was experimental, and not for record breaking), the Hanning-Lees "White Hawk", registered K5. This craft, "designed" by Ken Norris (in that he designed and stressed a frame to fit in an outline Frank Hanning-Lee had drawn up, was a hydrofoil, so was never going to attain the required speed for a record, though it was very good at becoming a high speed submarine. 

[Pullman99]

There was mention of initially planning to run it at Windermere.

 

Cobb visited both Coniston Water and Windemere in the Lake District, i fact, when he was at Coniston, the wreck of Campbell's Blue Bird K4 was still lying on the shore. Access was restrictive,and Windemere, though it offered much in facilities, was deemed too big, with too much, "traffic". Curiously, neither venue was ever announced as even a possibility, so some interesting journalism!! 

 

Happy New Year Steve!

 

Glad to see that the Crusader book is under way.    I cannot add much to this request for information but the late George Pattinson, who founded the Windermere Steamboat Museum, did tell me that there was quite a lot of opposition amongst prominent locals to another outright record attempt on Windermere as there was a feeling that another tragedy similar to that of Sir Henry Segrave would have a negative effect on tourism at a time when the area was just recovering its trade after WW2.    There may still be a few people in Drumnadrochit who were youngsters at the time of Cobb's attempt I suppose.     I know that Peter Du Cane of Vosper died in 1984 but would his family be able to help with further details?

 

Best wishes for a successful publication

 

Ian

[f1steveuk]

Ian, I will PM you with some detail.  In summary, the manuscript could go to print now, but while I am waiting for the publisher, I'm taking the chance to improve it