Name/Title
Raceboat, Gold CupEntry/Object ID
1973.020Description
Dixie II is one of the great treasures of American boating history. She is in remarkably good condition for a race craft that reached her 100th birthday in 2009. The usual life span of a race boat is filled with risk and always quite short compared to traditional pleasure craft. When competitive days of a race boat are finished it is quickly cast aside in a field or cut up for kindling. Dixie II is the rare exception to the common fate of old raceboats.
She was the fastest displacement launch in the world in her day. In 1909 she won every race in the United States and was shipped to Europe where she did the same thing there. She returned to a triumphant full reception. Yet by 1911 she was considered obsolete because the faster planning hull had been developed.
The first Dixie II was built in 1908 winning nearly every race she entered. Her designer, Clinton Crane, realized that she was a fine design, but her construction was much too light for the rigors of competition and her hull constantly leaked at speed. For the 1909 season Crane built a new, stronger hull and a second carburetor was added to increase the engine's claimed rating to 250 horsepower. Crane insisted that the new hull was still Dixie II because it was the identical design, only with stronger construction. The press reporters referred to the new hull as Dixie III and this resulted in some confusion when they filed their reports. The original hull for Dixie II did not survive. It was replaced and the old name remained on the new hull.
To add to the lingering confusion Crane designed a new Dixie race boat for the 1911 season with the given name of Dixie IV. With the new Dixie being referred to as number four in the series, it's been assumed that the second Dixie II was really Dixie III. The truth is that there was never a Dixie III.
Both Dixie II's were highly successful race boats winning three consecutive Gold Cup races in 1908, 1909 and 1910. Her record shows 100 consecutive victories including the 1908 and 1910 Harmsworth Trophy Races. She stands alone in terms of age, success and condition as the finest displacement hull race boat of all time.Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
1973.020Source or Donor
Miller, FrankMade/Created
Manufacturer
George Lawley & SonsDate made
1909Notes
Early Date: 1909
Propulsion: inboard gasoline
Engine: Sterling 960
MPH: 37+ 0.
HP: 125Other Names and Numbers
Other Numbers
Number Type
Old NumberOther Number
657Location
Building
*William J. Morgan Building
