Harry Harkness

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Harry S. Harkness (1876 or 1877 - January 23, 1919) was an early aviator and racing driver from Cleveland, Ohio. Born of a wealthy family and son of Standard Oil investor Lamon V. Harkness, Harkness financed the building of many early airplanes. As a noted racer of the day, he was retroactively awarded the 1902 American Automobile Association National Championship in 1951. 1902 was the first year of AAA sanctioned racing. His personal yacht was taken by the United States Navy, becoming the USS Wakiva II and was credited with sinking 3 German U-boats during World War I. Harkness sued the US government in 1918 because he did not believe that he was adequately compensated for the value of his yacht.[1] He died of influenza in 1919.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ H. S. Harkness sues Nation for yacht, New York Times, February 15, 1918
  2. ^ Harry S. Harkness dies of Influenza, New York Times, January 24, 1919

[edit] External links


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