Astor's Speed Boat Outraces Torpedoes

1916

Newport, R. I., Sept. 23. — The fastest craft on Narragansett bay is the motor boat Mystery, owned by Vincent Astor. Its speed is estimated at about 45 land miles an hour.

On Thursday Mr. Astor, with his machinist, took the Mystery to the torpedo testing range. From the decks of passing yachts and from the steamer General of the Wickford line, Mr. Astor could be seen chasing torpedoes, which were being tested. The Mystery outdistanced the speed boats the government uses to follow close behind torpedoes in speed tests in order to pick them up in case of trouble.

In all the runs the Mystery was able to keep ahead of the torpedoes, something the government motor boats cannot do.