Newspaper Clippings

[Martin Draeger] [Draeger] [Home]

From Sheboygan Press dated April 12, 1913: 

     Mrs. M. Draeger left for Racine today where she will make her future home.

From Sheboygan Press dated April 15, 1913:

First Movie House

     Mrs. Martin Draeger left today for Racine, where she will join her husband who is in the moving picture business, managing one of the leading houses of that city.  Mr. and Mrs. Draeger it will be remembered, operated the first moving picture show in Sheboygan conducting what was known as Dreamland, where Gus. Kallitt now has his confectionary parlors.  Since that time many changes have taken place in the moving picture world, and Mr. Draeger has at no time grown tired of the business.  Mrs. Draeger has been here a guest of her sister since last fall.

TAYLOR AVENUE GIVES HELP TO POOR FAMILIES
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Martin Draeger Tells of Need for Helping

     At the meeting of the Taylor Avenue District association at the Johnson Home Lunch, 1648 Taylor avenue, last night, election of officers was postponed when William Lange, chairman of the nominating committee, reported that it was unconstitutional to hold the election at this time. He said the election could not be held until the first meeting of the year.
     Martin Draeger told of his findings while investigating unemployment and relief work in Racine. The Taylor Avenue District association has a Christmas and relief fund that will be used to relieve poor in the Taylor Avenue district. Mr. Draeger has been working on this project for some time for the association.
     Mr. Draeger also reported on the card party held by the association, proceeds of which went into the Christmas and relief fund. He said that the last party held in the Hammes building was such a success that it swelled the fund greatly. The next party will be held in January. The proceeds of this party also will go into the association relief fund. Contributions also were pledged at the meeting last night to help the relief work. 
     Harry Sorensen, chairman of the Scout committee reported on the Boy Scout troop that is sponsored by the Taylor Avenue association. A supper will be held at the February meeting for the Scouts in this troop. 
     Julius Botcher, who presided as president in place of Paul Koplin, appointed Harry Sorensen, Dr. E. O. Williams, Bernard Hornell and Bert Johnson on the committee for next meeting.

LOCAL SPEED-CRAFT RACES ON THURSDAY

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MISS MADELINE WILL COMPETE FOR HONORS IN GREAT EVENT 
AT PAGEANT OF PROGRESS IN CHICAGO

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     "Miss Madeline," Racine's speediest speed boat, will race tomorrow at the Pageant of Progress at Chicago. Some of the fastest boats in this country will be gathered for the great event. The boats will compete for the Sinclair trophy, emblematic of the speedboat championship of the Great Lakes. William Draeger will pilot the local craft and Spike Peterson will be the machinist.
     Among the other entrants for the speedboat honors are the famous Miss America speed boat champion of the world; Miss Chicago, the new craft built by a Chicago syndicate, and holder of the Mississippi Valley championship; Arav IV of Buffalo; Baby Sure Cure, of Detroit; Rossita, of Milwaukee; A. K. III, Badger Girl III, Meteor III, V. R. and Miss Virginia, of Peoria, and Princess Pat, formerly Vamp of  Pekin.
     The meet will consist of eight races each day for three days. The contests start at 2 o'clock, and the boats are sent twice around a two and a half mile course north of the pier. The various divisions are then sent away at intervals of from 20 to 25 minutes until the class races are finished a 4 o'clock.
     At 4:15 the free-for-all for the Edgewater Beach hotel cup will be started. Then the course will be cleared for the main feature of the meet, the race for the Sinclair trophy.

LADY RACINE CAPSIZES

SURPRISES MARK RESULTS OF WATER FESTIVAL
STAGED SUNDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON AT NORTH BEACH

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     Nearly 10,000 yachting enthusiasts enjoyed the great regatta staged Sunday by the Racine Yacht Club and Racine Power Boat club. The "Lady Racine," owned by Martin Draeger, had a stroke of misfortune in the afternoon. The local speedboat made a sharp turn, the waves caught the craft just right, and the pride of the local powerboat association capsized and sank. The coast guards rescued the three men who were thrown into the water.
     The Spray won the honors of the day among the yachts. The Peggy and P. D. Q. won their respective lilts in the motorboat races in the afternoon.
     The Spray had been forgotten by many Chicago and Milwaukee yachtsmen. But the "dark horse" loomed up to cop the big cup of the day. The Spray is in the 21 foot cabin class and defeated the Columbia and Cherry by a good margin. The boat is at present owned by Harry Kemmer and J. Nero, of Kenosha.
     Another surprise in the morning races occurred when the Spider, a Chicago boat, took a beating from the Capsicum, a Cream City yacht. Still another upset happened when the Intrepid , the Mackinac winner, lost her laurels to Seeboomook. This race was protested and an investigation is now being held. It is alleged that the Intrepid fouled its rival.
     In the race from Chicago to Racine the Illinois won the Yacht club cup and Springtime came in second. The Larita won the race from Milwaukee to Racine.

Crowd Thrilled

     In the afternoon the people got the thrills they were looking for. The speedy little crafts threw the spray and dashed around in a way that made the ordinary sports seem tame. It is easy to see that Racine will soon have a powerboat association that will merit attention from the best in the midwest.
     The event of the afternoon was the capsizing of the Lady Racine, which was entered in the Pageant of Progress races. Martin Draeger said this morning, "There will be another Lady Racine next year. The new boat will be a dandy and make real speed." The powerboat enthusiast is planning to build a craft that will attain greater speed than the boat that touched the bottom of the lake.

Powerboat Sinks

     Suddenly the crowd gasped. The Lady Racine heard the prop gun and was making the turn to the starting line. The waves and the sharp turn proved sufficient to throw the boat about five feet clear of the water. The speed boat landed bottom up and sank. The men in the boat were Billy and Wallie Dreager and Eddie Zerdunk, of the Third Street Gossip club. The men were thrown clear of the boat and Billy lived his life over in a second or two. The coast guards rescued the men.
     Capt. J. A. Orlander's crew is to be congratulated on the speedy manner in which they arrived on the scene and in the manner in which they raised the boat. The coast guards dove into 20 feet of water and fastened ropes so that the craft could be saved. When the men were raising the boat near the coast guard station, the gas and oil caught fire. The lifeboat and pier were burned slightly and the "Lady Racine" scorched.
     Dr. A. C. Strong's P. D. Q. showed up well and defeated the Miss Illinois. The Peggy won the free for all. The Robbie Belle won the cruiser race. The course was inside the breakwater because of the rough water outside the harbor.
     The joint regatta was certainly a success. The men who deserve a large share of the honor for pushing the great event across are Commodore H. H. Pansch, of the yacht club, Commodore Art Draeger of the powerboat club, and George Forwark, general chairman. J. W. Sackrider helped materially to make the speed festival a success. The committees all did their work in the best of manner and skippers feel that this was the best regatta that has been staged in Racine thus far.

CRAFT IS ENTERED IN AD CONVENTION EVENT

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LOCAL CLUB ACCEPTS INVITATION TO TAKE PART IN 
AQUATIC MEET AT MILWAUKEE;  $3000 IN PRIZES

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     The Racine Power Boat club will participate in the races and boat parades to be staged at Milwaukee on June 13, in connection with the national convention of the Advertising clubs of America.  An invitation had been extended to the local club by the Milwaukee Advertising  club and this was taken up at a special meeting held last evening.
     The Michicago, of Chicago; Baby Surecure, of Detroit; Miss Toronto, of Toronto, Canada, and other fast boats will be entered in the speed events.  The Racine club is going to have a new speed craft, now course of construction, entered in the main race.  The club members are not ready to give out any data on their craft as yet but say it will class with any of them.

Lines Up Entries

     M. Draeger, of the local club, has been asked to line up the Racine entries so they can be placed.  Besides the speed and runabout events, there will be an illuminated parade in the evening.  Prizes will total $3,000 and consist of cash, gold and silver cups, gold, silver and bronze medals.  The Racine club decided to go down to Milwaukee in full force, taking every available power boat in this city.

To Start Junior Club

     Plans were also discussed for the formation of a junior branch of the club.  M. Draeger and A. Steimle have designed and constructed a miniature speed boat which they exhibited at the meeting where it caused much favorable comment.  The little boat is built with a V bottom on the exact plan of large speed boats.  It is 36 inches long has an 8-1/2 inch beam, and is equipped with a one cylinder compound steam engine.

Will Teach Boys

     The club is going to start a class in designing and building for boys.  The youngsters will be taught the rudiments of boat racing during their vacation and this will tend to keep them interested in a worthwhile subject and off the streets and at the same time build up a future membership for the club.  The lads will race the boats they build themselves off Lake Park, just before the close of the season.  Prizes will be offered by the club for the little boats making the best speed.  The present record for a boat of this kind is 32 miles per hour.  Model power boat racing is a new fad among the youngsters of this country and Canada and great races are being planned for this season.
     If enough interest is shown by the lads, the Racine Power Boat club will conduct classes in seamanship where the boys will be taught navigation, boxing the campass and other breezy studies.  The main purpose of the club in attempting this ambitious program is to insure continued interest in power boat racing.  Boys interested in the subject can get further data by seeing Mr. Draeger.

RACINE POWER BOAT CLUB WILL 
BRING SPEED KINGS HERE SUNDAY
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YACHT RACES, MOTORBOAT TILTS AND BAND CONCERT 
WILL BE FEATURES IN GREAT ANNUAL REGATTA
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     The joint regatta of the Racine Yacht club and the Racine Power Boat club will be staged in Racine on Sunday.  The best vantage point from which to view the races will be at the North Beach.  The yacht races will be staged in the morning and motor boat tilts will be run off in the afternoon.  The best skippers from Chicago and Milwaukee will participate for the honors of the day in both great events.
     On Saturday evening the yachtsmen from all the cities will meet in Racine and will parade through the downtown streets.  A dance will then be given at the yacht club house.
     At 10:30 Sunday morning the yachts will start on the annual intercity regatta.  The motor boat races will commence at 2 p.m. A band concert will be given at North Beach during the afternoon so that the yachting enthusiasts can have music with their favorite sport.  Sunday belongs to the lake sailors.
     Not much has been said about the speed boats coming under the auspices of the Racine Powerboat club, but the local organization promises that there sill be plenty of action.  At 2 o'clock the outboard motorboats will race over a two and one-half mile course.  This race will be followed by the various races of runabout cruisers and hydroplanes.  Aquaplaning or as it is often called surfboard riding, will be a feature between races.

Draeger Boys Enter Boat

     Cruisers and runabouts from Milwaukee will race with the local boats of the same class and the visitors are coming with the intention of giving the local speed artists an awful trimming.  The hydroplanes will furnish the thrills of the day.  The P. D. Q. VI, Dr. A. C. Strong's fast little 16 foot stepper, will be here for the speed events.  "Miss Illinois," the boat that created the sensation at the pageant races in Chicago will be here and so will the "Peggy," of Milwaukee.  These boats will race against the Lady Racine, local speedster driven by Wallie and Billy Draeger, who are putting Racine on the powerboat map.  
     The course will be laid out north of the breakwater close to the shore running north and south.  The starting and finishing points will be off the municipal beach.  This location will afford a clear view of the races.  A program of the events will be published in tomorrow's paper.

Bad Weather Course

     If the weather is not favorable the motorboat races will be staged inside the breakwater.
     The Universal R and Universal Q class races will be staged in the morning when yachts from Milwaukee and Chicago will compete for honors.  These are the "Big Boys" of the yachting world.  The same boasts that raced in the Lipton cup regattas at Chicago will be here.  A cruiser race is expected to be a feature.

Three Racine Sob Sisters Get Thrills in Speedboating
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     The sport of kings!  And three Racine reporters got in on it.  So did a large number of Racine Rotarians and a number of sport enthusiasts.  It was a ride in the Virolling, the first speed boat owned by Al Ringling, of Evanston, which whizzed into Racine harbor yesterday to give the Racine folds a treat.  Fred Schram, owner of the Peggy of Milwaukee was driving the boat up in to Milwaukee, and had the owner's permission to stop off at any part along the lake to show the people what a safe and sane and at the same time thrilling sport, speedboating is.  Every one of the lucky Racine folks who had a spin was convinced. 
     Virolling is a darb.  She is 33 feet long., with a 450 horse power motor.  It is a pleasure craft, rather an expensive toy, turned out by the Great Lakes Boat Building corporation of Milwaukee.  She has three cockpits---the driver's, a midship, and after cockpit, and it was back in the after cockpit that the three girl reporters got their thrills.  Virolling is of matched planking, varnished until it shines like copper.  When it skims through the clear water, leaving a spray and a great double plume of waves behind it.  It looks 'classy' leather upholstery, and its metal work id of brightly polished copper.

*   *   *

     William Draeger, owner of the Lady of Racine, promoter of the Racine Power Boat club, and the biggest jingo for speedboat racing that ever flew up Belle City harbor, rounded up a gang in less time than can be imagined.  Thus it was that ten minutes after Virolling idled into the harbor, cars came rushing over Main street bridge and enthusiasts were on hand waiting for a chance for a ride.  The boat is built for eight, but some trips a few more squeezed in and when the reporters went, 11 were crowded in.
     When the first few loads went out expressions of farewell and last instructions were laughingly passed back and fourth, for, for all Racine's aquatic traditions, her residents are for the most part landsmen to the core.  They came back, smiling, confident and enthusiastic.  Speedboat riding they will tell you, is the safest, the most delightful sport they have ever experienced.
     Rather breathlessly they climbed out and wanted to know when they could have another opportunity to ride.  Would the Virolling come back to Racine?  Was the Lady of Racine going to take passengers?  They were sold, and Mr. Draeger, who has some schemes in the back of his head for a revival of the days when Racine was the belle city of the lakes, and who is planning some kind of 'doings' on the water for the 76th anniversary of Racine next year, just smiled.  Maybe he didn't think himself some little fixer.  He certainly did arouse some enthusiasm over the project.
     And what could be a more fitting celebration of Racine's diamond anniversary than a fleet of fast boats skimming over the bay in a great festival, sprinkling a great shower of diamonds in its wake, diamonds of Lake Michigan drops, the lake that has made Racine's history?
     With the enthusiasm aroused yesterday, patronage of a speed boat regatta for Racine this year is practically assured.  Eight or ten boats from Chicago, Evanston and Milwaukee have signified their willingness to come and as the Racine Yacht club has planned a sailing regatta for Aug. 27, the Power Boat club may co-operate with them in putting on a program of fast motor boat races.  Getting the sportsmen here and entertaining them well will create a favorable attitude towards this port, thinks Mr. Draeger, who wishes to see Racine stage a watery comeback next year.
     And what is a ride like?  You sep into the boat, are seated in a comfortable upholstered seat.  If you are a girl, you are 'kidded" a great deal, but of course, the "kidders" know well you are going to stand it better than the Rotarians that they have seated up in the amidship and driver's cockpits.  The engine chugs, a great spitting of water, a whir, a whiz and you are flying past the coal yards---or what used to hold coal---and two great diverging swells of water are rolling back of you, raising the water in the river to the docks.

*   *   *

     You pass the life-saving station and then bing!  Hold on tight, you are leaving the world behind and flying over a heaven of clear greenish-blue, edged alongside of you by frothy whiteness as you cut the water.  You clutch your hat and grin, as Mr. Schram turns about with a diabolical grin, expecting that you are going to be yelling for mercy.  As you seem to enjoy it he signals to his mate, who gives the old choker a few pumps and you skim still faster , and still you don't turn color, because you like it so will.  Then they take a turn.  You don't know they are turning, you just find yourself around.  Before you were looking at the lake, now you are seeing the shore.  Zip, bang, whiz, it's all over, you're flying past the lifesaving station and coal yards again, and a crowd on North Main street bridge runs to the rail and watches, attracted by the roar of the motor as it is shut off.  
     As you step out, you say to the driver, just to "get his goat," "Well, some time when you want to show us a fast ride, let us know and we'll be ready."  "Where are the thrills?" asks our friendly rival from the other paper, trying to appear real "hard boiled."  Secretly you are thrilled as can be and you go back to the office and rave and rave, until everybody is ready to consign you to the lake, without the accompaniment of a speed boat.

         FLAGSHIP TESTED IN BLOW
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     The motorboat "Paladin" which took to the water on Sunday and is to be the flagship of Commodore Fred W. Hermans in the lake events connected with the home-coming celebration was given a severe test yesterday afternoon in the northeast blow and acted perfectly.  The boat has been in the building since last fall, being constructed by M. Draeger, 1307 Summit avenue, and Nels Sorenson, Cliff avenue, for William and Walter Draeger.  The cost of the craft is about $1,000, it being the largest boat of the kind at this port.
     She is 38 feet overall and has a beam of eight feet and three inches and built of the best seasoned oak with extra heavy ribs.  There are fore and aft cabins and when entirely completed she will boast of toilets, Pullman sleeping berths and a cook galley for use in long trips.  She is painted white with a green bottom and will have brass railings on the top of the cabin and around the deck at the stern where there will be a canvas awning.  The engine now in place will be replaced by a new one, the present machinery being installed so she can be used for the home-coming.

From "Open Exhaust," Page 10

Names His Committees

President Walter B. Wilde Selects Cabinet Members to Assist in What Promises

to be a Most Eventful M. V. P. B. A. Season

M.V.P.B.A. Committees 1923

     RACE Committee--J. W. Dixon, Chairman, Burlington Launch Club, Burlington, Iowa; Chas. P. Hanley, Muscatine Power Boat Club, Muscatine, Iowa; R. H. Daniels, Illinois Valley Y. and C. Club, Peoria, Ills.; A. T. Griffith, (secretary) Peoria, Ills.; R. A. Maples, (Treasurer) Clinton, Iowa; J. W. Sackrider, Chicago Yacht Club, Chicago, Ills.

     RULES Committee--Charles P. Hanley, Chariman, Muscatine Power Boat Club, Muscatine, Iowa; E. B. Blakely, South Shore Y. C., Milwaukee; W. B. Wilde, Illinois Valley Y. and C. Club, Peoria, Ills.; L. E. Selby, P.Y.C. Pekin, Ills.; C. E. Padgett, Quincy Power Boat Club, Quincy, Ills.; Harry Godley, Davenport Boat Club, Davenport, Ia.

     CRUISE Committee--Don Leach Chairman, Dubuque, Iowa; C. R. Edmunds, Lake Arthur, La.; Henry Falk, Houston Club, Houston, Texas; H. M. Schweppe, Alton, Ills.; W. Milton Miller, New Orleans; Wm. T. Hamlin, Chicago, Ills.; Edwin N. Parrish, St. Paul, Minn.; Harry C. Good, Moline, Ills.; H. M. Hammer, St. Louis Mo.; Arthur L. Gibson, Red Wing, Minn.; W. J. Blake, Chicago, Ills.; Allen Lown, Waterloo, Iowa; O. D. Collis, Clinton, Iowa; A. M. Heederick, Milwaukee, Wis.; C. C. Beardsley, Rock Island, Ills.

     MEMBERSHIP Committee--Harry T. Howard, Chairman, New Orleans, La,; C. J. Pope, Oshkosh, Wis.; E. J. Lonhard, St. Louis, Mo.; Sheldon Clark, Chicago; Fred Schramm, Milwaukee; Harry F. Lotz, Joliet, Ills.; J. Edwin Wamsley, Evansville, Ind.; A. V. Hannifin, Fox Lake, Ills.; Thos. Colson, Chicago, Ills.; Louis H. Piper, Minneapolis, Minn,; W. H. Keller, Chicago.

     SHOW Committee--J. R. Trautner, Chairman, Red Wing, Minn.; Sheldon Clark, Chicago; J. P. Lacey, Peoria, Ills.; W. V. Kidder, La Crosse, Wis.; Robert R. Tarrant, Chicago, Ills.; Geo. Shado, Davenport, Iowa; Martin Draeger, Racine, Wis.; O. A. Brownson, Dubuque; A. F. Philpot, Ft. Madison, Iowa; I. S. Spangler, Keokuk, Iowa.

     RACINE TO COMPETE
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Will Send Entries to Milwaukee, Peoria and Chicago Meets Under M. V. P. B. A. Auspices This Season.

     Two new racing craft are in course of construction at Racine, Wis., for the regattas of 1922 under M. V. P. B. A. auspices.  One of these is a 215 class boat, a motor for which is being designed by J. E. Jaggersburger.  It will incorporate ideas entirely original with him.  The hull for this engine will be built for Martin Draeger, commodore of the Racine Power Boat Club.  While this is more or less of an experiment , a real racing boat is now practically completed for Mr. Draeger.  This hull is 20 ft. by 6 ft. with strength enough to carry a high speed 200 H. P. engine and calculated to be able to withstand fairly rough water. It will enter the 1300 class events, first at Milwaukee, then at Peoria and later at Chicago.  This is a hydroplane and will compete against such boats as the "Rosita" of Milwaukee, the "Arab IV" of Buffalo, the Harry Parsons 1300 boat from Cleveland and the "Bradley Tech" and "Betty Jane" of Peoria, Ill.

Newspaper article dated 1921:

SPEEDY POWER VESSELS BUILT BY LOCAL MEN
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Hydroplanes to Compete in Big Midwest Regattas
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     Racine will be represented in the big races of the Midwest Power Boat association this year by four speedy hydroplanes, the owners, builders and designer of which except will be the fastest in the world in their classes.  Two of the boats, which were designed by Walter P. Beauvais, naval architect of Milwaukee, are being built by W. C. Draeger, and two Racine men have purchased the Peggy from Fred Schram of Milwaukee.  The Peggy will be brought to this city this week and rebuilt by Mr. Draeger.
     One of the boats, which will be a 17 foot craft, is being built for Otto Wadewitz and Ed Surendonk.  It will be equipped with a 100 horse power Curtis airplane motor and it is expected that it will outspeed any boat in the world in the 510 class.  This boat was designed by Mr. Beauvias.      Another hydroplane now under construction is being built for the Draeger brothers.  It is a 16 foot craft and will be equipped with a Racine made 60 horse power motor being built by Joe Jaeggersberger.  The hull is of new design and it is expected to beat anything in the world in the 215 class.  The boat was designed by Mr. Beauvais.
     The Lady Racine is being entirely rebuilt.  The engine, which is of 200 horse power, has been rebuilt.  The Lady Racine will have more speed than ever and will be entered in the 1100 class races.
     The Peggy, on which work of rebuilding will start next week, will be entered in the 510 class races.
     The four Racine speedy hydroplanes will be entered in the big regatta to be held at Burlington, Iowa, on July 2, 3, and 4 under the auspices of the Midwest Power Boat association and the boats will compete in the Chicago regatta on July 28, 29, 30 and 31 and Aug. 1, 2 and 3.  Plans are being made for a regatta here on Aug. 8, and the Racine craft will race in the events at the Milwaukee regatta on Sept. 4, 5 and 6.  In addition, the local hydroplanes will be entered in the regatta to be held at Oshkosh this summer and other regattas.

From a newspaper article dated Oct. 28, 1921:

M. DRAEGER HEADS NEW SPEED CLUB

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CLUB WILL START LOOKING AROUND FOR SUITABLE QUARTERS ON 
SOUTH SIDE;  HAS MANY MEMBERS

     M. Draeger, one of the best known power boat enthusiasts in the city, was named temporary chairman of the newly formed Racine Power Boat club at an organization meeting held at 1408 Chatham street, last evening.  The new club was formed largely at the instigation of Mr. Draeger and bids fair to occupy a big place in the racing history of the city.
     At this meeting it was decided to go ahead and organize a club here, secure temporary quarters and start work on a new boat house on the south beach.  Officers elected besides Mr. Draeger were Joe Raven, secretary, and H. Rittman, treasurer.  A committee on action was appointed to go out after new members.  This committee is composed of William C. Draeger, Ray Finch, and H. Kehlstrom.  Permanent officers will be elected on Jan. 1, according to the rulings of the Mississippi Valley Power Boat association with which the Racine club is affiliated.  
     Resolutions were passed urging Senator LaFollette and Congressman Cooper to do all in their power to have alleged discrimatory tax measures applying to motor boat owners removed.  This tax is said to work a hardship on the power boat owners and caused many of them to tie their crafts up for the season this year.  The boats are taxed on a ten per cent basis while motor cars are only taxed 5 per cent.  It was pointed out that most of the power boat owners are working people and can not meet this heavy taxation.
     Another meeting of the club will be held at the same place next Thursday evening.

Racine Combines Sail and Gas

Puts on Attractive Regatta as Curtain Raiser for More Comprehensive 
Affair to be Staged during Summer of 1923

     In days gone by Racine, Wisconsin, was on the map as a center of boating activities.  Interest in this pastime, like interest in every other similar locality, flagged during the war period.  But the old time enthusiasm was resuscitated in no uncertain way by the combined Racine Power Boat Club and the Racine Yacht club on Sunday, August 27th when a regatta was staged which attracted ten thousand spectators.  There were events for every type of boat from the outboard to the high powered hydroplane.  Thirty three yachts competed in a single event.  Speed boats and crack sailing vessels from Milwaukee and Chicago appeared in the entries.  The citizenry of Racine turned out from Mayor A. J. Lunt down to the small boy and his little sister.  There were picturesque pictures of stately sail craft and terror thrills from tearing engines.  It was a red letter day but only a curtain raiser for the regatta which those two clubs propose to hold next summer as a feature for the Home Coming Celebration of Racine's Seventy Fifth birthday.
     Chicago clubs and those at Milwaukee made races of their cruises to the regatta city.  A fleet of ten left the Windy City for the scene of the sailing.  They included such will known craft as Illinois, Springtime, Intrepid, Invader, Columbia, Spider, Seeboomook, Mavoureen, Esperanza and the Virginia.  Illinois won this cruise event in 9 hours with Springtime, Intrepid and Invader finishing inside the first ten minutes.  Milwaukee sent forth eight, La Rita winning on corrected time.  
     In the speed boat department, Milwaukee supplied Fred Schram with his famous "Peggy."  Chicago sent up Bob Lee, and L. E. Barteau with "Miss Illinois" and Evanston contributed President A. C. Strong of the M.V.P.B.A. with "P.D.Q. VI."  While Racine sent "Lady Racine" owned by Commodore Martin Draeger of the Racine Power Boat Club and his sons to the line.
     In the afternoon nearly 10,000 people crowded the pier, packed the beach and Jones park, and lined Michigan boulevard to see the motorboat races and enjoy the band concert.
     Owing to a choppy sea, the motorboat races were staged on a curved course inside the harbor. 
     "Lady Racine" furnished the thrill of the day when she capsized near the harbor entrance while coming up to the line for the start against Peggy, fast Milwaukee speedboat.  Bill Draeger, Walter Draeger and Edward Zerndock were aboard.  The U. S. Coast Cruiser went to the rescue, picking up the occupants and towing the sunken "Lady Racine" to shore.
     Fred Schramm of Milwaukee, driver of Peggy, brought gasps from the monstrous crowd with his exhibition.  Owing to a choppy sea the motorboat races had to be run inside the harbor, and the curved course made real speed impossible.  Schramm got flying starts from outside the harbor and negotiated the course with his boat scarcely touching the water.
     Both these boats had figured conspicuously at the Pageant of Progress regatta in Chicago.  "Peggy" hold the points in the 705 class while Lady Racine was placed in the 1300 event.  Though the Draeger (there appears to be some words missing here) qualified as hydro Hell divers, the commodore himself is not guilty, as he was not on board and he writes that he does not yearn for the experience, particularly not in his Sunday clothes.  No damage was done to Lady Racine but Commodore Draeger was much disappointed over the mishap for the boat was running smoothly after a whole season of hard luck.  For the next season's campaign however, Draeger plans to have a new speed outfit and expects to take the measure of a lot of M.V.P.B.A. speed merchants who will enter the Racine Home Coming regatta.  
     Events for six different classes of power boat were staged.  In the event for outboard motors the Evinrude boats of Milwaukee won first and second.  The next class was the standard 215 rating of the M.V.P.B.A. and it was won by President Strong's "P.D.Q. VI" with "Miss Illinois" only seconds behind.  The free-for-all went to Schramm's "Peggy" because of the mishap to "Lady Racine."  In the event for runabouts the "Gypsy" took the honors in a field of four and in cruisers "Robbie Belle" won from "Gloria II" and "Lois."
     In the sailing classes "Bandit" won the bug class; "Phantom" the Special No. 1; "Iroquois" the Special No. 2; "Dolphin" the 25 footer; "Spray" the 30 footer; "Springtime" the race about; "Capsicum" the Q class; "Clarabelle" the S Class; "Seeboomook" the 35 footer and "Florence" that for Yawls.
     The starting was done by J. W. Sackrider of the racing committee of the Mississippi Valley Power Boat association and officers from Racine, Milwaukee and Chicago boating clubs acted as judges, timers and course officials.

From "Open Exhaust" page 16:

Racine Forms New Club

Launches Organization to Promote Power Boating, Racing and Cruising, and to Aid Fight Against Discriminatory Taxes

     Racine, Wisconsin has landed on the motor boat map with both feet.  A new boat club has been formed; it has elected officers; has made plans for a club house; sent a vigorous protest to Senators and Congressmen against existing boat taxes; arranged to enter racing boats at big regattas next season; made application for membership to the Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association; and taken out a dozen subscriptions to OPEN EXHAUST BOATING, the official organ of the association.
     And who says motor boating is on the wane?
     Racine has been blessed by having at all times two or three irrepressible power boat fans.  One of them is J. W. Sackrider, another is M. Draeger, and it is to the latter the credit for launching this latest acquisition to the the power boat world must go.  Always a racing man, during the past summer her raced "Miss Madeline" at the Chicago Pageant of Progress regatta.  He went home with the idea that Racine was missing a lot of things in not having further fostered its power boat enthusiasm.  The city had a world of it and all it needed was a little organization.  He went to work and the result is the new club.
     The officers elected are: M. Draeger, President; Joe Raven, Secretary; J. W. Rittman, Treasurer.
     These officers will hold until the first of the year when another election for a roster to go through next season will be held.
     The very first resolution passed by the new club was the one which forms its alliance with the Mississippi Association.  The second resolution was an appeal to Congressman Cooper and Senator Lafollette for a modification of existing boat taxes.
     That newspapers will co-operate whenever afforded the opportunity is demonstrated in the case of Racine.  The Racine Journal News in announcing the call for the meeting which resulted in the formation of this new club ran a full page streamer across its sport page and printed the following statement under a heavy caption:
     "Preliminary steps towards the formation of the Racine Power Boat club will be taken at a meeting set for Thursday evening which will be held at 1408 Chatham street.  The idea is to get all those interested in this new and intensely interesting sport together, organize a club, build a club house on the south side and affiliate with both the International Power Boat Association and Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association.
     "Everyone interested in this line of sport is invited to attend the meeting which will be called at 8 p.m.  After discussing the purpose of the club and its future here, officers will be elected.  There has been much talk of starting some such club but this is the first time any actual effort has been made to get it under way.
     "An intensive campaign is now being waged to form clubs of this kind all along the lake shores.  New clubs are already organized at Duluth, Minn., and Hancock, Michigan.  Chicago and Milwaukee already have strong clubs backing this sport and there is no reason why Racine should not get in line.
     "The program of events planned for next season will be fully discussed at Thursday's gathering.  This will include some fast speed boat races with talent from Milwaukee and Chicago taking part.  Promoters of the local club have been assured that just as soon as the south half of the arrow head breakwater is completed this city will be favored with an annual racing event that will compare with the Mississippi Valley race and the ones pulled off during the pageant of progress at Chicago.
     "A permanent motor boat classic will be staged in Chicago next season, according to present plans.  Previous to the big event the racers will take their speedy crafts to Milwaukee where a special showing will be made for the benefit of speed fans at that place.  The Racine club will attend this event in a body and may be able to induce the racers to stop here for awhile.  This would do much to put Racine on the map.  Indications are that the proposed club will meet with a fine reception and fill a long felt want."

The following is a partial article.  It is all I have of this article and I don't know where or when it was published.

     Some of the newer boats (a word appears to be missing here) not show in the money, but these did not include "Lady Racine," which had suffered about every mishap imaginable, and she satisfied her owner by landing inside the purse money in the last heat and took enough Pageant of Progress currency home to Racine to buy a couple of new spark plugs and a world of hope for the next regatta.

Note:  Someone wrote $1250.00 in ink at the end of this paragraph.  If that is the amount of money he received then that should have been enough to buy more then a couple of spark plugs.

Racine, Wis., Sept. 8th

Editor OPEN EXHAUST,

         Peoria, Ill.

     OPEN EXHAUST has always been a great hit with us and will make a bigger hit in the near future, if I'm a judge, for the boys who want to get real honest-to-goodness boating news of the middle west.  Congratulations.
     "Open Your Own Exhaust" will make the paper a medium wherein the boys will be able to give their opinions on different questions relative to the game.  The boys and I will take the first opportunity to express our feeling and to tell the world what a fine lot of men the Valley possesses.  We surely felt at home with them in Chicago and we are anxious to meet them on their own battle ground next year.
     You bet the Valley boys showed us something and we took advantage of it and kept our eyes and ears open.  We are coming with something new.
     I wonder how some of the Valley boys would like to have been in our places going home on Lake Michigan instead of through the peaceful canals and rivers, where occasionally they could jump ashore and run alongside their barges, and drop into some farmhouse and buy fresh eggs and mild.  If you are interested enough I will tell you what a trip we had home.  Here goes:
     We left Chicago Sunday morning, going up the beautiful (?) north branch of the Chicago river, into the Wilmette canal and expected to make a quick trip up north.  We were greeted at the lake with a stiff northeast breeze and has to wait for the sea to go down.  Aboard the cruiser "Romance" was Jack Heller, "Billy" (my son) and myself.  "Billy" left us Sunday noon, as he had to be back at work on Monday.  Jack Heller and myself undertook to drive "Miss Madeline" home in tow of "Romance," Sunday evening when the white caps had disappeared we made a try, with the the results that we got swamped outside of the Wilmette harbor and barely got "Miss Madeline" back into the harbor, two inches above water.  Some job to bail out with dippers and those toy pumps they call bilge-pumps in these marine supply catalogues.
     We lay at Wilmette until Monday, 2 p. m. when I decided, after the sea had somewhat moderately subsided to run "Miss Madeline" under her own power so as to make better time and Jack Heller opened "Romance" throttle to a 10 mile clip.  This lasted about five miles and I had to be towed the rest of the way to Waukegan, Ill., 20 miles further along.  I was kept busy pumping while being towed.  Next morning (Tuesday. Aug. 9th), we left at 8:30 a. m. because Jack Heller believes in late rising.  The lake was moderate until we reached Kenosha, Wis., 15 miles distant, where a stiff breeze from the southwest hit us on our port quarter.  But I was determined to get on home.  Those last ten miles were rough riding.  I should liked to have run a race with the boys in that sea.  We arrived home at 11:45 p. m. and home never looked so good to us.  There we had to face the music and I was prepared with a bushel of alibis why we didn't win the championship of the Great Lakes.  Everything had turned out different than I had expected.
     Mr. Editor, have you noticed how things turn out differently after you have planned, and planned and prepared yourself with the finest excuses and you had no chance to offer one of them?  Will, that's just what happened to me.  The fact is that some of the boys gave us credit for attempting to break into fast company and some will try themselves.  Let's hope so.  Son boats will be pulled up and preparations made for new ones.
     Let me know, Mr. Editor, if you like to hear from me in "Open Your Own Exhaust," and I will introduce to you and other readers, in the near future--JOE.  Perhaps you don't know him and perhaps you do.  "Joe" is an old timer in the mobile racing game.  "Sure-Fire" (J. W. Sackrider) knows him well.  "Sure-Fire" told me yesterday that there will be a meeting in the near future to change some rules in regard to piston displacement and points.  "Joe" attended the Chicago races and he wants to know if their is going to be any change made in the 215 class.  He wants to build a motor to go into that class, and "Joe" can build one, too, by heck.  Give my best regards to the boys.

                                                                          Yours very truly,      M. DRAEGER.

Many New Faces

1922 Convention of M. V. P. B. A. Will Receive an Addition of 
Fifteen Clubs and Hundreds of Prominent Men

     When the roll of clubs is called at the annual convention of the Mississippi Valley Yacht and Canoe Club house in Peoria on July 2nd many new names will appear.  The Association has grown during the past year in a way that it never grew before. The war had left it in a demoralized condition.  It partly regained its stride during 1920 and 21; but the season ending with July 1922 will reveal an association stronger than ever before in its history.  The clubs which have been added during the past twelve months include the following in the order in which they have been admitted: 

     Racine Power Boat Club of Racine, Wis.
     South Shore Power Boat Club of Chicago, Ills.
     Chicago Motor Boat Club of Chicago, Ills.
     Chicago Yacht Club, Chicago, Ills.
     Southern Yacht Club of New Orleans, La.
     Oshkosh Power Boat Club of Oshkosh, Wis.
     Fox River and Lake Association of McHenry, Ills. and Chicago, Ills.
     Lake Arthur Boat Club, Lake Arthur, La.
     Eastern Shore Yacht Club, Mobile, Ala.
     Houston Launch Club, Houston, Texas
     Ohio Valley Aquatic Recreation Association, Evansville, Ind.
     Joliet Yacht Club, Joliet, Ills.
     Pensacola Yacht Club, Pensacola, Fla.
     Biloxi Yacht Club, Biloxi, Miss.
     Bay Waveland Yacht Club, Bay St. Louis, Miss.

     The combined membership of these clubs aggregate of 6000 or 7000 men for the Chicago Yacht and the Southern Yacht combined alone have a membership of more than 4500 men. 
     There has been little talk as to who may be the successors for the present officers for President Wilde's regime has been so successful that there will doubtless be a clamor for his re-election to that office.  The new clubs, however, have added to the organization men of influence and executive ability, and some of these may get recognition at the July convention.  While Walter B. Wilde will have unanimous support should he be induced to stand for re-election to the presidency, in case he does not, friends of Tom Webb may advance his name.  Another group desires to see Commodore J. W. Dixon again resume the reins of office.  He is one of the original organizers, has served as its president, has directed its policies and stands as the real representative of Mississippi Valley boating.  Another man whose name will be mentioned is Commodore Sheldon Clark of the Chicago Yacht club.  Commodore Clark has been instrumental in pushing up the recent swift growth of the organization.  From the south will come the name of W. H. Parham, secretary of the Southern Yacht Club of New Orleans and inasmuch as Mr. Parham now represents seven clubs in the association as southern representative of the association he is good material for the executive committee for 1923.  John A. Mac Lean of the Fox River and Lake association, Commodore Martin Draeger of the Racine Club; Commodore E. J. Walmsley of the Ohio Valley Club at Evansville and Commodore C. J. Pope of Oshkosh and Commodore Heederick of Milwaukee; Harry F. Lotz of Joliet together with stalwarts from the Chicago clubs are among those acquired in the past season and who, in the future will aid the regulars in the conduct of association affairs.

RACINE HAS IT'S 4TH HYDROPLANE
----------

M. DRAEGER AND SONS HAVE COMPLETED HULL OF "JAY EYE SEE;" TO BE ENTERED IN RACES BY LOCAL MEN.
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     M. Draeger and sons, Walter W. and William C., 1408 Chatham street, have just completed the hull of a hydroplane speed craft which will represent this city at the races to be staged at Burlington, Ia., during the first week in July.  The new speedster is built of butternut, white ash and spruce , all topped off with a mahogany finish turned out by the S. C. Johnson company of this city.  It is 17-1/2 feet long and has a beam of five feet and will be powered with an eight cylinder Curtis airplane engine.
     By permission of the J. I. Case T. M. company the hydroplane has been named the Jay Eye See, a name long famed in speed events either on the race track or country roads. The Case company has also granted the Racine Power Boat club permission to use the old Williamson docks for a landing.  This place will be fitted up with a derrick so the boats can be raised and lowered into the water.

     Owned by Racine Men.

     Otto Wadewitz and Eddie Surendonk have purchased the Jay Eye See which they will enter in all the speed races in the country.  She will be in the 510 cubic inch class while the Lady Racine, another local hydroplane, is in the 1,100 cubic inch class but is equipped with the same sort of power plant.  There are four hydroplanes in the city now, the Jay Eye See, the Lady Racine, the Peggy, owned by the Hayek Brothers and a little one in the 215 cubic inch class being built by Mr. Draeger for his own amusement.
     The Jay Eye See is now having her engine installed at the Third Street garage where many people called to view her on Sunday and Monday.  The boat has beautiful lines and attracts much favorable comment.  The new Johnson finish is most attractive, bringing out all the grain in the wood as well as affording protection from the water.  The finish is beautiful although but one coat has been put on as yet.  Two more will be added before the craft is launched.
     Mr. Draeger and his sons are noted for their boat building ability.  They are in the game more as a hobby than as a business, although they are planning on getting a yard in the river district and going in for the manufacture of speed boats of the hydroplane class.  The hull of the Jay Eye See only weighs 400 pounds.  She can be lifted by two men and carried by four.

Experienced Race Drivers.

     Messrs. Wadewitz and Surendonk are experienced race drivers and can be depended upon to uphold the honors of this city in the classics.  The races at Burlington are expected to attract a crowd of 40,000 people.  The merchant of that city, which is smaller than Racine have raised $20,000 to insure the success of the regatta.  Mr. Draeger hopes to get a similar event put on here in the near future.  He is most enthusiastic over the race game and boat building, saying the Racine Power Boat club is going to be famous before very long.

Boatmen Here for Ivy Club Fish Fry

     Visiting boatmen will be guests of honor at the annual fish fry and jollification at the Ivy club on the Galena road tonight when the club members will celebrate their successful season in all lines of water sports.
     Commodore Martin Draeger, of the Racine, Wis., Power Boat club, will not only be one of the guests of honor, but he shipped down from Wisconsin, enough lake trout to feed the hundred or more members who are expected to attend the fry tonight.
     Besides Commodore Draeger, Commodore C. E. Padgett, of the Quincy Boat Club, famous as a speed boat builder, and Commodore L. E. Selby, commodore of the Pekin boat club will also be present.  Commodore Selby, in his capacity as president of the Mississippi Valley Power Boat association, will be one of the principal speakers.  Mayor E. N. Woodruff, Congressman William E. Hull, and M. M. Baker, president of the Association of Commerce, have been invited to attend , and will probably be there.
     While tonight's frolic is in the way of a celebration of a successful season, it does not mark the close of the season.  The club house will remain open until November 1, with Mrs. Leota Anderson, stewardess, in charge.  Several sailing races are scheduled before the close of the season, and Peoria speed boats will enter another regatta, that at Cincinnati next week-end before the hydros are hauled out of the water for the winter.

Racine Yacht Club Closes First Year With Banquet
----------

      Members of the Racine Yacht club, fifty in number, observed the first anniversary of the organization last evening with a banquet and general social time, which was held at the handsome clubhouse on the north beach.
     The affair was a success in every way, marking the close of a year of remarkable accomplishments.  When the Racine Yacht club was formed a year ago, its membership consisted of a few motorboat enthusiasts, who believed that Racine should take advantage of its excellent facilities for boating.  The first meeting of the new club was held at the Strand theatre, with four men present.
     One year has wrought a remarkable change, however.  The club now has a handsome clubhouse that will compare with any yachting quarters in a city the size of Racine.  Its membership roster contains more than eighty names.  The sloops and motorboats owned by members of the organization captured fifteen trophies in regattas the first year.
     At least four new boats will be added to the Racine fleet during the coming summer.  The membership will also be materially increased.  Present plans are to have Racine yachts and speed boats entered in every regatta in this section during the coming year, and put the city of Racine on the map in a yachting way.
     Racine will also take the leadin urging changes in laws for the benefit of yachtsmen.  William Rohan, elected as Racine delegate to the Mississippi Valley Power Boat Association convention, will bring up some of the desired reforms at the convention.  Racine yachtsmen feel that constant inspection of motorboats and yachts by life saving crews is a burden.  Sometimes, in traveling between Kenosha and Milwaukee, a pleasure yacht is inspected as many as five times.
     All of these subjects and many kindred ones pertaining to yachting were discussed by the yachtsmen, following the excellent repast, which was served by the Elks' club chefs.  The banqueting tables were arranged in the form of an anchor and at the head of this anchor, the new officers and the retiring officers were seated.
     Theodore Mielke, the newly elected commodore, acted as toastmaster.  Fred Hermans the retiring commodore, presented each of the new officers with a gold star.  He believed that such a presentation should be an annual custom.

Note: There was more to this article but the bottom was torn off.

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Last updated:  03/03/2003