Ken Warby standing on SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA
Photographer
David Watson
(deceased)
Date8 October 1978
Object numberANMS0532[064]
NameNegative
Copyright© Luke Watson
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Tumut and Adelong Times
DescriptionKen Warby standing atop SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA holding two bottles of champagne and surrounded by the media.
HistorySPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA is an Australian designed and built jet-powered, wooden, 3-point hydroplane that has held the world water-speed record since 1977. Breaking both the 300 mph and 500 km/h barriers, SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA raised the world record to 511kph in 1978 at Blowering Dam near Tumut NSW.
Ken Warby, SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA's designer, builder and driver, achieved his world water-speed records on a shoestring budget. Warby built his hydroplane over two years in the backyard of his suburban Sydney home, using stringers, brackets, stock bits of timber, plywood, screws, epoxy and a military-surplus jet engine that cost $65. He eventually launched the boat in 1974.SignificanceAfter Ken Warby's first world speed record of 1977 he received increased public attention and sponsorship for his second record in 1978. The media and his supporters turned out at Blowering Dam to be rewarded with witnessing the setting of a record that remains unbroken after nearly 40 years.
