Corrections

On this page, we will run corrections as they become necessary. Our apologies for any errors. (Electronic versions of the magazine have been corrected.)

Send corrections to:

John Minnis

Editor & Publisher

publisher@detroitriverliving.com

or call (313) 640-8955

Summer 2016

As a life long hydroplane racing fan I enjoyed your article entitled "Gar Wood's Legacy", but I think you should be made aware of the fact that there are several factual errors in the article:

1. Gar Wood did not become involved in the Gold Cup until after the first race in Detroit, in 1916, when Miss Detroit I lost while attempting to defend the Cup. He bought the boat after the race.

2. Miss Detroit I won the Gold Cup in 1915 in New York, not Minnesota. The race was on Manhassett Bay, Long Island.

3. The 1917 race was on the Mississippi River because Miss Minneapolis had won the race in Detroit in 1916.

That race was won by Gar Wood, his first Gold Cup win, in Miss Detroit II, powered by a Sterling engine.

4. The 1918 race, held on the Detroit River, was won by Gar Wood in Miss Detroit III, powered by a Curtiss engine.

5. The 1919 race was again won by Miss Detroit III, powered by a Packard Liberty (WW I airplane) engine.

6. Miss America I won the 1920 Harmsworth Race against three boats: Maple Leaf V, Maple Leaf VI, and Despujols I. Miss England II did not challenge until 1931.

7. The caption to your picture of Logan Wood states that "Gar Wood won his final race in Miss America X, beating Miss England III and winning the British Harmsworth Trophy for the eighth time." He actually won in 1933 for the ninth time--he won in 1920 as the U.S. challenger, and defended eight times.

Sincerely,

Tim Matyn

Grosse Pointe Woods