Vintage Views with Aled Jones: The first sea-going speed boat to grace the Yorkshire coast
It was at the close of WW1 that motor power began to be used and local fishermen began adapting their traditional sailing cobles with engines, paving the way for larger purpose-built motor boats like Girl’s Own (1922) and Britannia (1923).
At Bridlington the first motor coble, aptly named Pioneer, was built in 1920. Once people had tasted the thrill of motor power, it wasn’t long before the first dedicated speed boat had appeared.
The arrival of the first speed boat brought about a huge boom in tourism and helped make Bridlington a top 10 UK holiday destination. All this success led to more and more top attractions in the town.
Arriving in the 1930s, the Bridlington speed boat was the first sea-going speed boat to grace the Yorkshire coast. No doubt she provoked both startled and admiring looks when she was embarking on her maiden trips!
She reached a top speed of about 20 mph and gave holidaymakers a taste of the extreme speed records that world-famous pros were chasing in specially-built racing craft.
In 1933, Scott-Paine and Thomas piloted Miss Britain III to a record-breaking 100.132 mph, being the first men to exceed 100 mph in a single-engined boat.
In our hero image, the speed boat is seen on the left, at the bow of the Yorkshireman. Taken from the end of the North Pier, it’s dated September 8, 1936 and was sent to an address in Cleckheaton.
The 120-foot pleasure ship Yorkshireman was a regular fixture here from 1928 to 1954.
She offered popular excursions and competed for trade against the smaller motor excursion vessels. Few visitors in this timeline failed to make a trip on her.
Today, speed boats still operate out of the harbour right next to the North Pier. They hit speeds up to 30 mph, depending on sea conditions, keenly vying for trade with the Yorkshire Belle and the Pirate Ship.
The Pirate Ship was built on the High Green in historic Old Town near to the Priory Church in 1979, the work of local boat builder Paul Mckie.
This vessel was originally designed to be an angling and commercial fishing boat and was christened Sportsman.