Same place as pic below – the Western high rise of the original Mercer Island floating bridge. I found a little “niche” just off the walkway/bike lane, and armed once again with my trusty Argus C-3, I shot this photo or the U-50 Miss Wayne. Powered by twin Allisons mounted side by side, it placed fifth in the 1956 Seafair Trophy race. Miss Wayne was built by Dan Arena , from a Saile/Arena design and driven by Frank Saile in its first couple of years. A large boat, it was 33′ 6” in length and had a 12′ 9” beam. The fuel tanks were mounted on the rear deck next to the tail and rear cowling. It was painted bright yellow, with black & white trim.
Hawaii Kai III pilot Jack Regas drove Miss Wayne in the 1957 Mile Trials achieving a 163 mph mark.. Lee Schoenith and Roy Duby both drove Miss Wayne in 1958.
After its racing career it slowly decayed on the the roof of Lumberman’s in Detroit.
Posted on Facebook’s Hydroplane History page by Kirk Pagel
Where is the propeller from the Miss Wayne hydroplane boat. I have heard it is in the Detroit River. Where???