Back to the Fifties : More Ketchikan Photos by Paulu Saari
Title:
Labor Day Boat Races, 1953
Photographer:
Paulu T. Saari
Description:
A big crowd gathered at the Ryus Float to watch runabouts and hydroplanes racing on the Narrows.

Ketchikan Daily News article, 9/8/1953
"Dick Kelly Only Racer To Finish
Of five entrants in the B-hydro event in the Labor day races yesterday, only one finished. Richard Kelly, with a 10-hp Mercury, took first place and second was given to John Reese, one of the three pilots who spilled. Bill Mackey and Norman Bradley also spilled and Larry Freimuth, the fifth entrant, had motor trouble and was unable to finish the race.
The 20-mile Totem Cab marathon, an innovation this year, was taken by Del Freimuth in the unlimited class and Jack Morris Jr. in the limited class. Freimuth powered his boat, Black Magic, with a 25-hp Mercury. Morris was using a 25-hp Evinrude.
Winners in the family runabout race were Charles Wright who took first with a 10-hp Mercury and Richard Hicks who placed second with his 25-hp Evinrude.
In the free-for-all, Del Freimuth took first place with Richard Kelly second.
The trophies awarded as prizes for the races were donated by the Totem Cab Company for the marathon. For the other events, trophies were donated by Tongass Trading Company, The Exchange, Alaska Outboard Association, Herb's Sporting Goods and Hardcastle's Insurance Company.
Judges for the events were Lt. Richard H. Hagadorn, executive officer at the Coast Guard base, and Oral Freeman, highway patrolman."
Collection:
Ketchikan Museums: Paulu T. Saari Collection, KM 2003.2.63.1574
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Labor Day boat races, 1953Labor Day boat races, 1953