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Celebrating 100 years of tethered hydroplane racing
Fred Westmoreland
Fred Westmoreland. June 1930.
A 91 year old boat led me back to an era before the Wright brothers first flew, before Rolls met Royce and steam was still king. The boat was ‘Evil Spirit’ a flash steam hydroplane built in 1915 by Fred Westmoreland. Although not as well known as his friend H.H Groves, Fred Westmoreland was also an early exponent of flash steam hydroplanes. 'Evil Spirit' was based on Groves’ Irene III and achieved 26.9mph in 1915, to take the British record, earning Fred a Model Engineer silver medal and certificate. The record set was not to be beaten until 1922.
However this was not the first boat to carry the name 'Evil Spirit' as I discovered when exploring the life and modelling career of Fred Westmoreland.
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Fred was born on 17th March 1878 in Spalding in Lincolnshire, a town dominated by steam power. From an early age he was interested in mechanical things and used to truant from school to watch the traction engines at work. He started by producing rough patterns that he would cast in lead and this led to the construction of a model horizontal engine that was instrumental in Fred obtaining an apprenticeship. A local doctor attending his father saw his handy work and recommended him to Henry B Massey, an engineer, machine tool maker and manufacturer of ornamental lathes in Spalding. Right: Engine was sold to Leslie Thornhill of Saxmundham, Suffolk in July 1916. |
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Henry Massey worked on a variety of projects, and Fred gained valuable experience in several engineering disciplines including electrical work. Massey encouraged Fred to carry on with his model building, working after hours in the workshop, and making everything down to the last nut and bolt. After six years training, at the age of 20 he was ready to widen his horizons, and Manchester beckoned. Twin-cylinder built by Massey for small steam yachts. |
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Manchester in 1897/98 was the industrial centre of the world and jobs were plentiful. Fred worked for several companies in a short space of time, keen to gain as much experience as he could. This included a stint at F.H. Royce & Company before it had joined with C.S. Rolls to become Rolls Royce. The Company were making electric motors, cranes, and electric doorbells. Steam gave Fred another nudge and in 1899 he moved down to Birmingham and Bellis & Morcom, working in a new department on compound and triple-expansion engines. Promotion came when installing a new generating station at Middleton and the Corporation asked him to stay on as ‘Engineer in charge’. Having more spare time, he rented a workshop to make model engines, and also build a motorcycle. Right: Fred in 1904 with 'motorised bicycle'. |
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1902/03 saw him back in Manchester at a new British Westinghouse plant in Trafford Park. The next move, prompted by a desire to have more internal combustion engine experience, took him to Coventry and Daimler. While delivering Daimlers in Salford to a wealthy manufacturing chemist, Mr Thomas Ansdell of Hope Avenue, Pendleton, he was offered the job of motor engineer, looking after the family’s fleet of cars. With better wages, Fairhope Cottage for accommodation, a fully equipped garage and workshop, it was an offer few could refuse.
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| The garage at Fairhope. | Fred with Daimler 'Landaulet'. | 3,000 mile service? |
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Fred completed the change by getting married in 1907 to Emily Bourne, also from Spalding, and having two children, Edna in 1908 and Frederick William in 1910. Now that he was settled and with a very well appointed workshop, Fred was able to indulge in his passion for model engineering, building around 23 model engines. As well as steam engines he produced a number of advanced IC engines and other mechanical and electrical items. His work was of such high standard that he would win some 32 awards, including seven Model Engineer, silver medals. He was a well-respected and active member of the Manchester Society of Model Engineers, and became its President in 1921 and 22. |
The high speed, reversing steam engine shown below brought Fred his first major awards including winning the 'Rose Bowl' at the Edinburgh Industrial Exhibition in 1910.
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Edinburgh Rose bowl 1910. |
High speed engine and awards. | M E Exhibition 1911 |
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