Description
'Schneider Trophy' an interesting ceramic vase probably manufactured by Bough, Scotland, painted with panels of anthropomorphic birds, in blue between Scottish rose and foliate borders, the base inscribed 'E J M J Mifflin, Southampton September 1929, Schneider Trophy won by G Brit Waghorn' 25.5cm. high As holders of the Schneider Trophy, the British decided that the 1929 race was to be held at Cowes. The course comprised a four-sided 50km lap starting and finishing off Ryde pier. The turning points, off Seaview, Hayling Island and Cowes, were marked by pylons painted yellow and black and mounted on destroyers. On 7th September, race day, crowds flocked to vantage points on both sides of the Solent, as well as on boats and ships anchored all along the course. It was estimated that 1.5 million spectators came to see the spectacle. Only Italy had sent a team to compete against the British entries flown by Flg Off "Dick" Waghorn, Flg Off "Batchy" Atcherley and Flt Lt D'Arcy Greig. Waghorn had finished first with an average speed of 328.26mph. A story is told of R.J.Mitchell's reaction when he first heard that Waghorn had won the Schneider Trophy. As he stepped off the launch and walked up the Calshot slipway, a Supermarine man moved forward to shake his hand saying, "Congratulations, sir. I am pleased we have won for your sake." To which Mitchell replied, "Thank you, but it is not really for my sake, you know, it is for our country's." It is unsure what this ceramic vase was produced for. The original Schneider Trophy is on display at the Science Museum, London.