Description

---

In 1912 Thomas Fleming Day, editor of The Rudder, decided to demonstrate the reliability of the internal combustion engine by taking a 35-foot double-ended powerboat from New York to St. Petersburg, Russia.

The trip was an adventure: the vessel's freeboard was only 2 1/2 feet so she was usually awash and always rolling; the engine noise was deafening; and the boat caught fire and nearly blew up. After completing the rugged North Sea leg, Day writes, "The last thing I did was to visit the engine room and kiss the motor good-bye."  Few would want to replicate his voyage.

About the Author

---

Thomas Fleming Day (1861 - August 19, 1927) was a sailboat designer and sailboat racer. He was the founding editor of Rudder, a monthly magazine about boats. He was the first to win the annual New York to Bermuda race. The T. F. Day Trophy is named for him.