The History of the World Water Speed Record

In the second episode of 5 Minute History, we take a look at the history of what has been described as the most dangerous motorsport in the world - The History of the World Water Speed Record.

[geoffreypiltz]

There have been two attempts since 1978 which you did not mention. Both ended in disaster and death.

[MrOlgrumpy]

I hope you were able to fix the audio problem

[goatslunch]

Ken Died a week ago of natural causes. RIP. Built the boat himself without the aid of a computer. In his back yard. over 40 years later no one has come close and lives have sadly been lost trying.

[henrychubbs]

Very informative. What's with the electronic stuttering in the dialog?

[davidfellows]

Error at 5:00. Jet engines did not exist in1939.

[SpaceLord]

my dad's boat. "The Pink Panther" was 200mph unblown gas hydroplane. sanger harris hull. prop driven never lost a race for 8 years and hold's the record from 70-74 1/4 mile in 8.3 seconds. all done under the southern drag boat association!!!

[simontaylor]

Many thanks, fascinating. Does the boat have to be in the water or can it hover just avove?

[tomnewham]

Ken Warby's son Dave is planning on breaking his fathers record and are planning on doing some test runs in November 2023.

[myblacklab]

Contenders: We're announcing an intention to break the record!
Contenders five years later: Uhm, yeah, that's too dangerous - never mind.

[tedsmith]

At 5:00 you state Campbell set a record of 141 MPH in 1939 after removing the jet engine and replacing it with a piston engine. The date and speed are true but the statement about the jet engine is not as jet power was not even tried till after WW2.

[paulmoir]

Not remotely important to the subject, but the pronunciation is "Bradoor". Like the kids say, "Brah!" followed without hesitation by the entry into a room.

[nikolaileon]

Would you mind if I used your 5 minute water speed record video on my website, please advise, thank you.

[MartinWillett]

The Campbell era will not be over until the record is officially higher than Donald's err, terminal velocity, by 10% or more.

[richierich]

I can listen to an english narrator for hours but can't do 2 minutes of an American narrator

[theadventuresofshellyandfr]

No mention of Craig Arfons smh approx 335mph not official because he crashed. God speed.

[tedsmith]

If you are going to narrate the video, get rid of the captions. One or the other not both, otherwise you sound like you are talking to people who cannot read for themselves.

[ImCxoi]

I think this channel could be pretty big one day, just add some humor to it doesn't feel like a lecture

[TomEarley]

How has the channel not taken off!? 50 subscribers? Could easily be 50million!

[jalbert]

Nicely done video. Informative. And no music :) Thank you! personally, I think that setting records with jet propulsion is kind of silly AND stupidly dangerous. Without a propeller or impeller, then it really is not a boat, just an airplane lacking wings, waiting to go airborne and kill the driver.

[Choober]

If anyone wants to sponsor me to put TWO RB199's in a boat, then I'll show you how fast a boat can REALLY go.