Crusader (speedboat)

The Crusader was a jet-powered speed boat piloted by John Cobb. It was built by Vospers of Portsmouth and designed by Reid Railton, costing £15,000 in 1949. It was silver and scarlet in colour and 10m long. The engine was a De Havilland Ghost. The boat was destroyed and Cobb killed on 29 September 1952 when on a world record attempt at Loch Ness, Scotland.

The hull was of trimaran form, a main hull with a planing step, and two smaller rear-mounted outriggers. Construction was of birch plywood, with aircraft-style riveted aluminium for the cantilevers to the outriggers.

See also

• Water speed record

References

• Stobart-Hook, Barry (2008). The Last Crusader. April Cottage Publications. ISBN 978-0-9559147-0-6. 
• "John Cobb and the Crusader". http://www.lesliefield.com/personalities/john_cobb.htm. , reprinted from Leo Villa and Kevin Desmond (1976). The World Water Speed Record. 
• Du Cane, Peter (1956). High-Speed Small Craft (2nd ed.). Temple Press.  Endpapers include a sectional drawing of Crusader