The Calvert Marine Museum’s (CMM) latest book, Thrills and Spills: The Golden Era of Powerboat Racing in Southern Maryland traces the history of the sport through the memories and photographs of the men and women who lived it.

Over three years in the making, CMM Curator of Maritime History Richard Dodds and Registrar Robert Hurry teamed up to conduct the research forming the basis of the book.  The pair combed through old newspaper articles and interviewed over seventy former racers or their survivors.  All the while, photographs and memorabilia were copied to aid in telling this fascinating story.  The result is a fully illustrated 176-page book that traces the development of powerboat racing in the area.

Organized racing in Southern Maryland began with the American Power Boat Association (APBA) sanctioned races sponsored by the Solomons Island Yacht Club in the late 1930s.  After World War II, the yacht club regattas were joined by an annual marathon under the auspices of the Solomons Island Outboard Club.  Meanwhile, non-sanctioned or wildcat boat races took hold in St. Mary’s County where a boat club was formed in the late 1950s.  After 1970, the Southern Maryland Boat Club managed APBA sanctioned Outboard Performance Craft races and became a racing powerhouse where local drivers won numerous regional and national awards before the sport died out in the 1980s.

Regarding the sport, Dodds stated, “It was an exciting and vibrant part of community life.  We felt strongly that it was important to talk to the people who had experienced powerboat racing firsthand and to capture their stories.  There are a lot of characters and personalities involved, and their stories, even the unprintable ones, are fascinating.” 

In conjunction with the book, the museum developed an exhibit by the same name which illustrates this story through photos and mementos.  Museum Deputy Director Sherrod Sturrock says the book and exhibit “truly bring history to life.”

This new color-illustrated book is available for sale in the Calvert Marine Museum Store and on its website for $25.95.

The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Effective July 1, 2013, admission is $9.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors and military with valid I.D., and $4.00 for children ages 5 – 12; children under 5 and museum members are always admitted free. For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.