Saint Petersburg to Havana Race – The 284-mile crossing between Saint Petersburg (Florida) and Havana (Cuba) was considered in its beginnings to be one of the most important events in the nautical world
The first race took place on March 30, 1930 one hour before noon off The Pier in St. Petersburg, Florida and finished in the lee of Morro Castle at the Habana harbor entrance. It drew an eleven boat fleet and was won by the elegant schooner Haligonian owned by Houston Wall of Tampa. The race was co-sponsored by the National Tourism Commission, which instituted a gold medal as a commemorative prize for the trip. According to Mr. Gandhy’s (Commodore St. Pete Yacht Club) statements to the press at the time, the race was originally planned by The Tampa Bay Cruising Squadron, an “informal organization” affiliated with his club.
How good was this race? Participants included repeat appearances by great US yachts such as Haligonian, Vamarie, Stormy Weather, Dorade, Blitzen, Babe, Ticonderoga, Carribee, Starlight, Windjammer, and Hoot Mon, and the equally great Cuban yachts Ciclon (1st in fleet 1947) and Criollo (1st in fleet 1957)
Regatas San Petersburgo-Habana (1950) from MEMORIA DE CUBA de Jorge Molina on Vimeo.
1946 St. Petersburg-Havana Yacht Race
Seeking Photos of the 51-ft ketch Santa Cruz, which was pounded to pieces off Viriato Beach at the end of the race. Found to be leaking badly, her owner Ralph Waldo Zimmerman attempted to bring her safely ashore , but fetched up on a coral reef. All hands saved.
I have only one image of her from Tampa Bay Times newspaper, photographer and location unknown. She was designed by Howard Irving Chapelle, after the early 1800s Norfolk Pilot Schooner model, but rigged as a ketch.
Any suggestions or assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Blessing and Thanks