Ken Warby and SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA at Blowering Dam

Photographer David Watson (deceased)

Date1978

Object numberANMS0532[061]

NameNegative

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Tumut and Adelong Times

Terms

DescriptionKen Warby prepares his life jacket on SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA while a small group of spectators gather around. This second record at Blowering Dam generated more interest than Warby's first record the previous year. Even though Warby already held the record, people wanted to know if SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA could go faster and were there to see if history would be made again that day.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.SignificanceThis image shows the relatively relaxed atmosphere surrounding Ken Warby's 1978 attempt to break the 300 mp/h barrier. Warby remained notably calm throughout the build-up and the actual runs, even managing a nap just prior to the attempt.