Stanley S. Sayres Photograph Collection, 1900s-1950s
Table of Contents
- Overview of the Collection
-
Biographical Note
- Historical Background
- Content Description
- Use of the Collection
- Administrative Information
-
Detailed Description of the Collection
- Stanley S. Sayres, 1906-1927
- Stanley S. Sayres, 1950s
- Slo-Mo-Shun I, 1930s
- Slo-Mo-Shun III, 1947-1950s
- Slo-Mo-Shun IV construction, 1940s
- Slo-Mo-Shun IV and SSS, 1949-1956
- Slo-Mo-Shun IV race, 1950s
- Slo-Mo-Shun IV and V, 1950s
- Slo-Mo-Shun V, 1950s
- Slo-Mo-Shun V race, 1950s
- Crews and Celebration, 1950s
- Miscellaneous, 1950s
- Names and Subjects
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Sayres, Stanley S
- Title
- Stanley S. Sayres Photograph Collection
- Dates
- 1900s-1950s (inclusive)19001959
- 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.
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
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 Background
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 Description
Photographs of Stanley Sayers family, hydroplanes Slo-Mo-Shun I-IV, and hydroplane racing
Use of the Collection
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 Information
Detailed Description of the Collection
-
Description: Stanley S. Sayres10 photographs
Photographs of Sayres as a child and young man. A few photographs of Sayres with automobiles.
Dates: 1906-1927Container: Box/Folder 1/1 -
Description: Stanley S. Sayres16 photographs
Photographs of Sayres with hydroplanes and celebrating his winnings.
Dates: 1950sContainer: Box/Folder 1/2 -
Description: Slo-Mo-Shun I2 photographs
Photographs of Slo-Mo-Shun I
Dates: 1930sContainer: Box/Folder 1/3 -
Description: Slo-Mo-Shun III8 photographs
Photographs of Slo-Mo-Shun III
Dates: 1947-1950sContainer: Box/Folder 1/4 -
Description: Slo-Mo-Shun IV construction16 photographs
Photographs of construction of Slo-Mo-Shun IV
Dates: 1940sContainer: Box/Folder 1/5 -
Description: Slo-Mo-Shun IV and SSS29 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.
Dates: 1949-1956Container: Box/Folder 1/6 -
Description: Slo-Mo-Shun IV race12 photographs
Photographs of Sayres and Slo-Mo-Shun IV in action.
Dates: 1950sContainer: Box/Folder 1/7 -
Description: Slo-Mo-Shun IV and V10 photographs
Photographs of Sayres, and Slo-Mo-Shun IV and Slo-Mo-Shun V during their race.
Dates: 1950sContainer: Folder:oversize OS -
Description: Slo-Mo-Shun V11 photographs
Photographs of Sayres, the christening of Slo-Mo-Shun V in 1951, and the President's Cup victory.
Dates: 1950sContainer: Box/Folder 1/8 -
Description: Slo-Mo-Shun V race14 photographs
Photographs of Sayres, Slo-Mo-Shun V in action, other hydroplanes in the race, and the 1954 Gold Cup victory.
Dates: 1950sContainer: Box/Folder 1/9 -
Description: Crews and Celebration12 photographs
Photographs of Sayres with crew members of Slo-Mo-Shun and celebrations after victory.
Dates: 1950sContainer: Box/Folder 1/10 -
Description: Miscellaneous5 photographs
Photographs of race cars and site locations including Sayres's home.
Dates: 1950sContainer: Box/Folder 1/11
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)
