Kristian Ferrell
In 1920, Garfield Wood set a new water speed record of 71.43 mph (114.96 km/h) on the Detroit River, using a boat called Miss America. In the following twelve years, Wood built nine more Miss Americas and broke the record five times. The Virginia Dare II, an ultra-luxurious speedboat, could travel at 60 mph (96 kph).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Speed record | 71.43 mph (114.96 km/h) |
| Boat | Miss America |
| Year | 1920 |
| Location | Detroit River |
| Boat speed | 60 mph (96 kph) |
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What You'll Learn
- The Virginia Dare II, an ultra-luxurious speedboat, could travel at 60 miles per hour
- In 1920, Garfield Wood set a new water speed record of 71.43 mph
- In 1932, Wood broke the water speed record again, reaching 111.709 mph
- In 1928, Wood's brother, George, drove Miss America VII to 92.8 mph
- The following year, Gar Wood took the same boat up a waterway in Miami Beach and reached 93.12 mph
The Virginia Dare II, an ultra-luxurious speedboat, could travel at 60 miles per hour
In 1920, Garfield Wood set a new water speed record of 71.43 mph on the Detroit River with a boat called Miss America. Wood went on to build nine more Miss Americas and break the record five more times over the next twelve years. The public's interest in high-speed boats led to an official speed record being ratified in 1928.
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In 1920, Garfield Wood set a new water speed record of 71.43 mph
Wood's record-breaking speed can also be contextualised by looking at the power output of boat engines in the early 1920s. The Liberty engine, a WWI-vintage aero-engine, could produce 400 horsepower in wartime configurations. In the Virginia Dare II, this engine was modified to output an impressive 550 horsepower.
Wood's achievement in 1920 sparked increased public interest in high-speed boating. This led to an official speed record being ratified in 1928. Wood's brother, George, was the first person to attempt a record, reaching 92.8 mph (149.40 km/h) on the Detroit River in Miss America VII. The following year, Gar Wood took the same boat up Indian Creek in Miami Beach and achieved a speed of 93.12 mph (149.86 km/h).
Wood's record-breaking speed in 1920 was a significant milestone in the history of water speed records. His use of a new boat, Miss America, and his ability to reach speeds far beyond those of other boats at the time, solidified his place in the annals of boating history.
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In 1932, Wood broke the water speed record again, reaching 111.709 mph
In the 1920s, boats could travel at around 60 miles per hour (96 kph), which was faster than most passenger cars at the time. In 1920, Garfield Wood set a new water speed record of 71.43 mph (114.96 km/h) on the Detroit River in a boat called Miss America. Wood built nine more Miss Americas over the next twelve years and broke the record five times.
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In 1928, Wood's brother, George, drove Miss America VII to 92.8 mph
In the 1920s, boats could reach impressive speeds. In 1920, Garfield Wood set a new water speed record of 71.43 mph (114.96 km/h) on the Detroit River, using a new boat called Miss America. In the following twelve years, Wood built nine more Miss Americas and broke the record five times.
The Virginia Dare II, an ultra-luxurious speedboat from the 1920s, could travel at 60 mph (96 kph). This was also faster than most passenger cars of the time.
Boat manufacturers in the 1920s were keen to promote the speed of their vessels. Lycoming, a branch of the Auburn Car Company, assured the public that published speeds were modest. Boat engines were also becoming more powerful, with the Liberty engine, a WWI-vintage aero-engine, cranking out 550 horsepower in the Virginia Dare II.
The pursuit of speed on water continued into the 1930s, with Wood responding to a new record set by Don in 1932 by reaching 111.709 mph (179.779 km/h).
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The following year, Gar Wood took the same boat up a waterway in Miami Beach and reached 93.12 mph
In 1920, Garfield Wood set a new water speed record of 71.43 mph (114.96 km/h) on the Detroit River, using a boat called Miss America. Wood went on to build nine more Miss Americas and broke the record five times in the following twelve years.
The following year, in 1921, Gar Wood took the same boat, Miss America, up a waterway in Miami Beach and reached 93.12 mph (149.86 km/h). This was an incredible speed for the time, faster than most passenger cars could achieve in the late 1920s. Wood's achievements, along with those of other speedsters, led to an official speed record being ratified in 1928.
Wood's brother, George, was the first person to attempt a record under the new official guidelines. On 4 September 1928, he drove Miss America VII to 92.8 mph (149.40 km/h) on the Detroit River.
Wood's achievements in the early 1920s were not limited to speed records. He also designed and built the Virginia Dare II, an ultra-luxurious speedboat with a lightweight bonded wood hull, metal trim pieces, and comfortable leatherette seats. The boat was powered by a Liberty engine, a WWI-vintage aero-engine capable of cranking out an impressive 550 horsepower.
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Frequently asked questions
In 1920, Garfield Wood set a new water speed record of 71.43 mph (114.96 km/h) on the Detroit River, using a boat called Miss America.
The Virginia Dare II, which could travel at 60 mph (96 kph).
In 1920, Garfield Wood set a new water speed record of 71.43 mph (114.96 km/h) on the Detroit River, using a boat called Miss America. Over the next 12 years, Wood broke the record five times.
