Betty Carstairs

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Betty Carstairs (born Marion Barbara Carstairs ) (1900 – 1993) was a British power boat racer.

Betty Carstairs (later nicknamed "Joe") was born in 1900 in Mayfair, London, England, the daughter of a troubled couple who separated soon after her birth.[1] Carstairs' mother, an American heiress and an alcoholic, married three more times.[1]

In 1916, during the First World War, Carstairs drove ambulances in France for the Red Cross, later joining the Women's Legion Mechanical Transport Section in Dublin. In 1920 she went on to set up a successful chauffeuring garage with friends.

Carstairs always stood out from the crowd, her behaviour often being outrageous. She usually dressed as a man, had tattooed arms, and loved machines, adventure and speed. She came into large oil industry based inheritances from both her mother and grandmother in 1925 and, now that she was a millionairess, immediately commissioned the best motorboat money could buy.

She made a real mark in the male world of powerboat racing during the next five years, winning many trophies including the Duke of York's Trophy in 1926. She next set her sights on the Harmsworth Trophy, the most prestigious motorboat prize in the world. Although she competed unsuccessfully for the trophy in 1928, 1929 and 1930 she did establish herself as the fastest woman on water. During Carstairs' 1928 challenge in Estelle II she capsized in the first race injuring her ribs and injuring her mechanic Joe Harris even more seriously, and Gar Wood went on to win in Miss America VII at a speed of 92.838 mph. In Betty Carstairs' 1930 challenge, her Estelle IV broke down and Gar Wood retained the Harmsworth Trophy in Miss America VIII.

In 1933 she bought the island of Whale Cay in the Bahamas for $40,000, investing large amounts developing the Island. Her numerous guests included Marlene Dietrich and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

Betty sold the island in 1975, living for the rest of her life in Florida. She died in 1993 aged 93.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Irish Times (August 9, 1997) Weekend Books: A fast lady called Joe. (review of The Queen of Whale Cay: The Eccentric Story of 'Joe'Carstairs, Fastest Woman on Water by Kate Summerscale ASIN B000J3LK3O )

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