As the new Chairman of the Vintage and Historic Racing Division, I was called upon to help out a fellow racer, Mr. Daniel J. Murphy Jr. from Gladwyne, PA. Daniel and his family had established a perpetual trophy during the late 1950’s in memory of his father Daniel J. Murphy Sr. The Daniel J. Murphy Sr. Memorial Trophy was presented at the Gulf Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony. This trophy was presented to the individual accumulating the highest number of APBA points for the 225 Division I and Division II classes in the regattas held in Regions 3 and 4. 

The $130,000 trophy was a Philadelphia bowl made of sterling silver approximately 2 1/2 feet in diameter. On top of the bowl was a sculptured Ventnor hydroplane copied from Guy Lombardo’s 225 Hydro, Tempo V. The tail fin of the hydro had red, white and blue stripes, which prompted silversmith Mr. Oscar Kind of Kind Jewelers to insert diamonds, rubies and sapphires into the tail fin to accentuate the colors. The hull was created from white gold while the sponsons were formed in 14kt. yellow gold.

In 1971, Mr. Murphy was ill. He could not make the trip to Florida for the presentation of the trophy at the Gulf Hall of Fame. In his place, he sent his wife Mrs. Mary Ann Murphy, and the wife of the late Bill Ritner, Marian. In the excitement of the presentation, the original trophy was presented instead of a replica. Hence the mystery begins! By the time Daniel had recovered from his illness and the switch of trophies was discovered, the Daniel J. Murphy Sr. Memorial trophy was long lost.

Twenty-three frustrating years later, after many empty leads, Mr. Murphy parlayed this information to me. Realizing his anguish, I accepted the challenge to locate this memorial. I myself thought the worst, but I hoped for the best.

In my long hours of research at the APBA Headquarters archives, I discovered one tiny paragraph in the March 1971 Propeller magazine which stated that Rodney C. Brogden of Newport News, VA, and his 225 Kitty B, was presented with the trophy. Since I once drove for Rodney, it looked like there was an easy road ahead. Unfortunately, that was not the case! Rodney told me that he may have given the trophy away after one year, but he could not recall to whom. After much troubled thought, Mr. Brogden then remembered that he might have passed it on to the next high point champion, Charlie King, also of Newport News. I should own stock in Ameritech, because after hours of phone calls, I finally contacted Mr. Charles King.

To my relief, Charlie King had kept the trophy as his prized possession for all of this time. Since he did not know where it should go next. Both men, Rodney and Charles, are the real heroes in this story for saving this trophy and keeping it safe. They will receive replicas of the trophy as was first planned and the original will go back to the Murphy family.

All is well that ends well! Best wishes for the New Year!

©1994 Tom D'Eath