Regatta of the Hudson River Yacht Racing Association Labor Day 1910  

Before a gathering of five thousand motorboat racing enthusiasts representing eleven clubs on the Hudson River, and in plain view of the many hundred "guests" at that notorious mansion, “Sing Sing”, the Hudson River Yacht Racing Association held its sixth annual regatta on Labor day [1910], off the clubhouse of the Shattlemuc Yacht and Canoe Club, at Ossining NY. The day was favorable for motorboat racing, a small sea rolled and the balmy atmosphere seemed to invigorate the crews aboard the racing craft. A light haze hung over the horizon and the mountains showed in outline against the dull background.

Fully a hundred speeders, the pick of the club fleets, were entered in the contests. Ten events formed the motorboat program, the first starting at 10 am. Each of the other contests were runoff 15 minutes apart. The course was a triangle extending over five status miles, starting ling between the clubhouse and Gen. George A. McAlpin's cruiser, Sentinel. Every available spot along the shore held good crowds, an the verandas of the clubhouse were well filled throughout the day. The throngs aboard the spectator craft laughed and made merry, while phonographs shrieked comedy and dialogue. Gunfire II, Elmer L, and Comet II made up the speed talent of the day (not in the photo). The first race was for speedboats rating 70 and over, twice around a ten-mile course. Ten boats were entered in this contest, of which four finished. With motors firing like a naval battery, the boats stood at the line, the crews eagerly waiting the signal to start. Gunfire took the lead at the start and won from the speedy Elmer L on tie allowance. Emerson, piloted by A. Traver, of the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club, who succeeded in winning honors and smashing records at Peoria, could do no better in this even than finish third. Drisco, the scratch boat, trailed along in forth place. Others did not finish.

Five boats went off in the class B race cabin boats rating 45 and under 37, ten miles. Grace, entered from the Tappan Zee Yacht Club, in a hard-fought race, beat Bucky, the scratch boat, by 1 minute and 32 seconds. Grace is a speedy 50-footer, equipped with a Speedway motor. Third came Vondy of the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club, many seconds behind the scratch boat.

The committee was composed of the following clubs forming the association:  Albany Yacht Club, Rondout Yacht Club, William H. Frank of the Poughkeepsie Yacht Club, Newburgh Yacht Club, Highland Boat Club, Shattemuck Yacht and Canoe Club, Tarrytown Yacht Club, Tarrytown Boat Club, Tappan Zee Yacht Club, Yonkers Yacht Club an Columbia Yacht Club. The Protested boats were not re-measured up to the night fall, and the winner in the first contest was not declared.

Class A and B are shown from Motorboat Magazine Jan 1910:  

- Michael Quick (researcher)