Restoration
Photo - Eileen Crimmin Collection - Coeur d'Alene 1959
The idea of having a community-sponsored hydroplane to represent Spokane, Washington, had its origins in 1956. Bob Johnson, a sports writer for Spokane’s Daily Chronicle newspaper, took the idea of a local dentist and ran with it, spearheading a movement to organize what became the Miss Spokane Hydroplane Association (MSHA).
Miss Spokane and crew in 1958
Photo - George Alexieve Collection - 1958 Gold Cup - Seattle
Seattle’s William Boeing, Jr. happened to have a spare hull available. His asking price was $10,000 without an engine and another $3,000 outfitted the boat and allowed for the purchase of a trailer to tow it to races. To raise the needed money, the team sold 14,000 “ownership” cards for $1 each, making it truly community-owned. - Read More