Skimmed from FB because I found it interesting.
——
View attachment 8789767
In 1931 Miss America IX was one of the most spectacular racing boats ever built, a symbol of American engineering might and the relentless pursuit of speed. Designed and driven by the legendary Garfield “Gar” Wood, it was part of a dynasty of record-breaking hydroplanes that dominated international powerboat racing during the 1920s and early 1930s. Sleek, powerful, and beautifully crafted, Miss America IX embodied the daring spirit of the Golden Age of Speed.
At the heart of this aquatic beast were four massive Packard V-12 engines—aircraft-derived powerplants that together produced nearly 7,000 horsepower. Each engine displaced over 1,200 cubic inches, originally designed for military aviation, but tuned and synchronized for high-speed marine racing. The four engines were arranged in pairs, driving twin propellers through an intricate gearbox system. Managing such immense power was a feat in itself, requiring exceptional engineering precision and nerves of steel from the crew.
In 1931, Gar Wood piloted Miss America IX to victory at the Harmsworth Trophy, the most prestigious international powerboat race of the era, held on the Detroit River. Facing fierce British competition, Wood’s machine roared past rivals, clocking speeds over 100 miles per hour—an astounding figure for the time. The achievement not only cemented his personal legacy but also demonstrated the dominance of American technology in the realm of speedboat design.
The boat itself was built with a lightweight wooden hull, meticulously shaped to cut through the water with minimal resistance while maintaining stability at incredible velocity. The roar of its four Packard engines was said to be deafening, shaking the very air above the water as it thundered down the course. Each race was as much a test of endurance and courage as it was of engineering brilliance.
Today, Miss America IX stands as a historic icon of early 20th-century innovation and ambition. It represents a time when engineers and adventurers pushed the limits of what machines could do, using raw mechanical force, ingenuity, and sheer determination. Few vessels before or since have captured the drama, noise, and glory of speed on water quite like Gar Wood’s legendary Packard-powered masterpiece.
