The Outright Water Speed Record

Before 1910, unofficial water speed records were recorded for boats that were steam-powered and propeller driven. In 1911, internal combustion engines took over, and in 1928, the first official water speed record ratified by the UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) was set in 1928 by American George Wood.

The move to jet propulsion preceded the same move for the Land Speed Record when Malcolm Campbell replaced the R-Type piston engine in Bluebird K4 with a Goblin jet engine. Unsuccesful, the boat was inherited by his son Donald and reverted to piston power but still encountered difficulties. Donald took the brave step to start afresh with the outstanding Bluebird K7 jet hydroplane designed by the Norris brothers.

The first successful jet hydroplane was the Reid Railton designed Crusader of John Cobb. Against a record of 178mph he made the first run over 200mph but structural failure at the end of the run resulted in his death. Although not a record, the UIM acknowledged this as the first 200mph+ run.

The record passed between Britain and America until Australian Ken Warby upped it to 317.596mph in 1978 where it still stands today.

UIM OUTRIGHT WATER SPEED RECORD HOLDERS

Date	Driver	Nationality	Craft	Location	Speed (mph)
04 Sep 1928	Gar Wood	American	Miss America VII	Detroit River, USA	92.838
23 Mar 1929	Gar Wood	American	Miss America VII	Indian River, USA	93.123
13 Jun 1930	Henry Segrave	British	Miss England II	Windermere, Great Britain	98.76
20 Mar 1931	Gar Wood	American	Miss America IX	Indian River, USA	102.256
02 Apr 1931	Kaye Don	British	Miss England II	Parana River, Argentina	103.49
09 Jul 1931	Kaye Don	British	Miss England II	Lake Garda, Italy	110.223
05 Feb 1932	Gar Wood	American	Miss America IX	Indian River, USA	111.712
18 Jul 1932	Kaye Don	British	Miss England III	Loch Lomond, Scotland	117.429
18 Jul 1932	Kaye Don	British	Miss England III	Loch Lomond, Scotland	119.81
20 Sep 1932	Gar Wood	American	Miss America X	St. Clair River, USA	124.86
01 Sep 1937	Malcolm Campbell	British	Blue Bird K3	Lake Maggiore, Switzerland	126.32
02 Sep 1937	Malcolm Campbell	British	Blue Bird K3	Lake Maggiore, Switzerland	129.5
17 Aug 1938	Malcolm Campbell	British	Blue Bird K3	Hallwilersee, Switzerland	130.91
19 Aug 1939	Malcolm Campbell	British	Blue Bird K4	Coniston Water, Great Britain	141.74
26 Jun 1950	Stanley Sayres	American	Slo-Mo-Shun IV	Lake Washington, USA	160.323
07 Jul 1952	Stanley Sayres	American	Slo-Mo-Shun IV	Lake Washington, USA	178.497
23 Jul 1955	Donald Campbell	British	Bluebird K7	Ullswater, Great Britain	202.32
16 Nov 1955	Donald Campbell	British	Bluebird K7	Lake Mead, USA	216.2
19 Sep 1956	Donald Campbell	British	Bluebird K7	Coniston Water, UK	225.63
07 Nov 1957	Donald Campbell	British	Bluebird K7	Coniston Water, UK	239.07
10 Nov 1958	Donald Campbell	British	Bluebird K7	Coniston Water, UK	248.62
14 May 1959	Donald Campbell	British	Bluebird K7	Coniston Water, UK	260.35
31 Dec 1964	Donald Campbell	British	Bluebird K7	Lake Dumbleyung, Australia	276.33
30 Jun 1967	Lee Taylor	American	Hustler	Lake Guntersville, USA	285.213
20 Nov 1977	Ken Warby	Australian	Spirit of Australia	Blowering Dam, Australia	288.6
08 Oct 1978	Ken Warby	Australian	Spirit of Australia	Blowering Dam, Australia	317.596