Stanley S. Sayres Photograph Collection, 1900s-1950s

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Sayres, Stanley S
Title
Stanley S. Sayres Photograph Collection
Dates
1900s-1950s (inclusive)
Quantity
145 photographs (1 box and 1 oversize folder)
Collection Number
PH2017-045
Summary
Photographs of Sayres and the Slo-Mo-Shun hydroplane boats
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Stanley S. Sayres (1896-1956), the owner and driver of the hydroplane, moved to King County in 1932. He was in the automobile business heading the American Automobile Company, a Chrysler car dealership at 1001 Broadway in Seattle, and an auto parts store in the University District. Sayres also owned the Jen-Cel-Lite Corporation, a manufacturer of cold weather clothes. He became interested in speedboat racing in 1926 in Oregon, and his interest continued after he moved to King County, Washington. In 1949, Sayres built a 17-room home on the east side of Hunts Point near the point's north end (4450 Hunts Point Road), along with a boathouse for his hydroplanes. Hunts Point is on the east side of Lake Washington.

Sayres had owned and raced smaller boats, but he wanted to try for a world record. With this in mind, he commissioned Ted Jones to design the Slo-mo-shun IV and Jensen Motor Boat Company, at the north end of Seattle's Lake Union, to construct it. Jensen Motor Boat Company launched the 28-foot-long, 4,750-pound hydroplane in October 1949.

Driving his hydroplane, Slo-mo-shun IV , he established a world speed record (160.3235 mph) for hydroplanes on 06/26/1950.

- Information retrieved from Pacific Coast Architectural Database and History Link

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

The Slo-mo-shun IV was King County's own. The owner, designer, builder, mechanics, and crew were Seattle and King County residents. The only parts of the hydroplane not constructed in Seattle were a surplus World War II airplane engine and the boat's propeller.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Photographs of Stanley Sayers family, hydroplanes Slo-Mo-Shun I-IV, and hydroplane racing

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Adrianna Foss (grand-daughter of Stanley Sayres)

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

Stanley S. Sayres papers (Mss Coll 6139)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1 Stanley S. Sayres
10 photographs
Photographs of Sayres as a child and young man. A few photographs of Sayres with automobiles.
1906-1927
1/2 Stanley S. Sayres
16 photographs
Photographs of Sayres with hydroplanes and celebrating his winnings.
1950s
1/3 Slo-Mo-Shun I
2 photographs
Photographs of Slo-Mo-Shun I
1930s
1/4 Slo-Mo-Shun III
8 photographs
Photographs of Slo-Mo-Shun III
1947-1950s
1/5 Slo-Mo-Shun IV construction
16 photographs
Photographs of construction of Slo-Mo-Shun IV
1940s
1/6 Slo-Mo-Shun IV and SSS
29 photographs
Photographs of Slo-Mo-Shun IV, its christening in 1949, Sayres beating the world's hydroplane speed record in 1950 and the Gold Cup victory.
1949-1956
1/7 Slo-Mo-Shun IV race
12 photographs
Photographs of Sayres and Slo-Mo-Shun IV in action.
1950s
folder:oversize
OS Slo-Mo-Shun IV and V
10 photographs
Photographs of Sayres, and Slo-Mo-Shun IV and Slo-Mo-Shun V during their race.
1950s
Box/Folder
1/8 Slo-Mo-Shun V
11 photographs
Photographs of Sayres, the christening of Slo-Mo-Shun V in 1951, and the President's Cup victory.
1950s
1/9 Slo-Mo-Shun V race
14 photographs
Photographs of Sayres, Slo-Mo-Shun V in action, other hydroplanes in the race, and the 1954 Gold Cup victory.
1950s
1/10 Crews and Celebration
12 photographs
Photographs of Sayres with crew members of Slo-Mo-Shun and celebrations after victory.
1950s
1/11 Miscellaneous
5 photographs
Photographs of race cars and site locations including Sayres's home.
1950s

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Hydroplanes--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs
  • Motorboat racing--Northwest, Pacific--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Sayres, Stanley S. 1896-1956--Archives
  • Sayres, Stanley S. 1896-1956--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)