Word: sopwiths
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...swankest yachting organization, had had no dealings with the U. S. since 1895 when the Earl of Dunraven sailed home in a rage, charging sharp practice by the America's Cup defenders. But the real challenger represented by the Squadron last week was Thomas Octave Murdoch Sopwith...
Like Hubert Scott-Paine, unsuccessful challenger for the Harmsworth Trophy for speedboats (TIME, Sept. 11), '"Tom" Sopwith is a famed British aircraft builder. He learned to fly in 1909, entered a contest next year for the longest flight by a British aviator from England into Europe. By flying 150 mi. into France he won a ?4,000 prize. In 1912 he formed Sopwith Aviation Co. Ltd. which produced the Camels, Pups and Dolphins flown by Allied pilots in the War. After the War he took as partner his longtime test-pilot Harry Hawker, who in 1919 attempted the first...
Through the years when he was busily building his fortune and reputation, "Tom" Sopwith kept his hand in at yachting. Five years ago, aged 40, he popped up as owner of Mouette which he sailed himself with astonishing skill. Two years ago he bought Shamrock V, Lipton's last challenge sloop, won season's honors with her against the King's cutter Britannia, 24 Hags...
There was one English boat which "Tom" Sopwith could not come anywhere near beating. She was Velsheda, built for Chain-store Tycoon W. L. Stephenson by Charles E. Nicholson who designed the Shamrocks. Velsheda was rigged according to the new international rules which provide that racing craft may have light duralumin masts but must have full cabin accommodations for owners and crew, and must have gear-handling equipment on deck (not below deck as on Harold Stirling Vanderbilt's sleek Cup-winner Enterprise). Mr. Sopwith commissioned Designer Nicholson to build him a yacht even faster than Velsheda. He will...
There was something Homeric in the venture of Pilot Hawker and Commander Grieve in their Sopwith machine. Flinging away their landing carriage and deliberately avoiding steamship lanes, they undertook a voyage, as perilous as any since the days of Columbus and Cabot. What a continuous flight of twenty hours must mean is clear to anyone who has spent with the hum of engines throbbing in his ears, even three hours in the air. Our wonder increases when we consider that this longest flight yet attempted was made in a plane with only one engine, little chance of floating if forced...