This weekend sees the 90th anniversary of Britain winning the Schneider Trophy for the third time, which meant UK kept the trophy forever.
The event took place over the weekend of 12th/13th September 1931 in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
The Jacques Schneider Seaplane Trophy Contest
Anne Grant who produced the brilliant Solent Aviatrix Website explains,
“Ninety years ago, on the 13 September weekend, in the midst of the Great Depression, Ryde, Isle of Wight, played host to the BBC and aviation enthusiasts when the Jacques Schneider Seaplane Trophy Contest took place.
“The radio commentary was broadcast from the pier head, which was thronged with newspaper reporters and spectators. Hundreds more Islanders watched from the shore. Huge crowds gathered on the opposite mainland beaches.”
The race of seaplanes between Great Britain, France and Italy almost didn’t take place, but after a private benefactor stepped.
“Without Lady Houston’s sponsorship the UK victory, still celebrated and remembered with pride decades later, would not have happened.”
The course
To get an idea of where and how the race too place, Anne explains,
“The triangular course had a southern turning point off St. Helens, Isle of Wight.
“The western turning point was west of Ryde pier (Ryde Middle), and the 3rd point of the triangle was West Wittering, near Chichester.
“The race comprised seven laps, a total of 217 miles.
An unexpected viewing
Anne goes on to say that spectators on the northern side of the Solent lined the Portsmouth, Southsea, Gosport and Lee-on-the-Solent shorelines in Hampshire, also the West Wittering beaches in Sussex.
A bit like Round the Island Race (although they don’t halt mid-Solent),
“Isle of Wight ferries were halted mid-Solent for the duration and gave passengers an unexpected viewing.”
You can find out lots more about this fascinating piece of Isle of Wight history by heading over to Anne’s hugely informative Website, Solent Aviatrix.
Image: © Sam Darker
