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Although tethered hydroplane racing as we now know it started with Herbert Teague in 1908, Model Engineer magazine had been running an annual competition for model speedboats since 1902. Initially called the ‘Steamer’ competition, reflecting the nature of the entries, it was later renamed the ‘Model Engineer Speedboat Competition’. This would always be a postal event as the first organised model speedboat regatta did not take place until July 1908, when Model Engineer organised an event at Wembley.

In the 1902 competition, all nine entries were steamboats, with the fastest speed being 5mph. The internal combustion engine was still in its infancy, yet 5 years later would hold the outright speed record for model boats.

The leading exponents of this new form of power were the Arkell brothers with their ‘Moraima’ series of boats who went on to win the ‘Unlimited’ class at the inaugural speedboat regatta at 9.26mph. F.N. Sharp who was Second in the Wembley event with ‘Varuna’ and W.J. Smith, third with his boat ‘Belvedere’.

Both Sharp and Smith would go on to develop and then sell their engines commercially, yet Smith holds something of a unique distinction in that he was known from 1908 on as ‘Belvedere’ Smith, after his boat.

Before his Army service William had met Alice Biggs who lived close by in Orpingley Road. Just 4 weeks after his return from the war they were married in St Mark’s Church, Tollington Park on 26^th May 1901, setting up home at 323 Hornsey Road. Their first daughter Lilian Florence was born in 1902 followed by Ethel Peace in 1906, Jessie Edith in 1910 who died a few months later, and Jessie Violet in 1911. It seems however that William’s career might have taken the path away from carpentry following his discharge from the Army.

Alice’s father, John Biggs was a tinplate worker and later worked in a foundry, and with William having served in the Royal Engineers it is likely that his thoughts were drawn to some form of engineering or metalworking discipline. Certainly he was involved with the Victoria Model Steamboat Club at Victoria Park and became acquainted with Ted Vanner, Herbert Groves, Fred Westmoreland, the Arkell brothers, William Blaney and others who were in the forefront of the development of fast model boats.

Almost every competitor used the horizontal layout, as the motors were tall and very heavy, making vertical mounting undesirable. At this stage there was a clear divide becoming evident between those building functional boats for speed and those following a more scale route. From the design and layout of Smith’s boat, it was obvious he was in search of speed.

The engine he came up with was a relative monster at a shade under 85cc. The crankcase casting was designed with two large mounting plates either side to allow the engine to still be mounted horizontally, but with the crankshaft vertical. This enabled him to use a simple bevel drive to the propshaft rather than the complicated system preferred by the Arkells. The single cylinder was water cooled by thermo siphon with an automatic, atmospheric inlet valve and a push rod operated exhaust valve. A trembler coil and lead acid accumulator, both adding considerably to the weight of the plant, provided the sparks. Induction was by surface evaporation with the incoming air passing through a container of petrol.

Right: 'Birds eye view' of engine in Belvedere

It was at the 1908 Wembley Regatta that the names ‘Belvedere’ and W.J. Smith came to prominence, with his third place in the largest class at 5.11mph. Failing any more precise explanation the assumption is that the Belvedere name came from the area on the Hornsey Road where Smith lived or worked. Certainly there was a pub in the vicinity called the Belvedere and other businesses using that name.

By 1909 Smith had adopted that name also for his works and motors. His boat ‘Belvedere’ became one of the best known on the waters of London to such an extent that his friends and acquaintances called him ‘Belvedere’ Smith from then on.

These were not however Smith's first engines as the design and photographs of an engine he had built were published in Model Engineer in 1907. The article describes how he converted a German toy gas engine into an IC motor with an automatic inlet valve over a cam operated exhaust valve. From the dimensions given this engine was around 14cc, significantly smaller than the one he built for 'Belvedere'

The 1909 National Regatta as it had become, was held at the Long Pond on Clapham Common. The premier award was the Wembley Park Challenge Cup, which was won by a team from the Victoria Club comprising, Ted Vanner with Leda IV, Smith with Belvedere II and Jim Crebbin with Edouard Sauvage.

The dominance of the IC engine was very short lived, as in quick succession Herbert Teague and Vernon Delves Broughton developed a workable flash steam plant, the stepped hydroplane hull was adopted and Teague decided for reasons of convenience to run his boat in a circular course round a pole.

A year after the Arkells had set the record with an IC motor, it was upped to 13mph, then 15mph and in the 1909 Speedboat Competition to a remarkable 19.76mph by flash steam powered boats. Many competitors, including Smith continued to persevere with the IC motors, but it would be another 27 years before they were developed sufficiently to beat the steamers.

Left: Watercolour by Herbert Teague of 'Belvedere' running in 1909

Teague’s run of 19mph won the Gold medal in the 1909 competition, but silver was won by W.J. Smith at 12.94mph, more than double his 1908 speed. Happily, he submitted a brief description of his boat, engine, and run, to go along with the speed certificate from the Club.

It is interesting that Smith had decided to run his boat on the circular course, yet as speeds increased it was becoming a matter of safety as an A class boat weighing some 30lbs or more travelling at that sort of speed would require a very brave stopper. As an aside, it is fascinating that there are several accounts of boats being run at Victoria over the Christmas period, including this run on Boxing Day.

The IC engine had been eclipsed as far as high-speed work in hydroplanes was concerned, but there were still a very large market for ready built motors or castings for straight running and scale boats, especially in London.

In 1909 he was offering the No1 and No3 OHV units, which presumably were similar to the motor in his own boat, although in two capacities. Adverts he placed in the Model Engineer stated:

"Model Petrol Motors; lightest on the market. Don’t put a motor weighing a ton into a model boat and expect speed. Illustrated list, stamp. BELVEDERE ENGINEERING Co. 441 Hornsey Road Holloway." 

Interestingly, another advert in the same issue offers motor cycle parts from 'Belvedere Works' at 268 Hornsey Road.

Left: Smith's stand at the 1911 Model Engineer Exhibition. Interestingly the address is now 453a
       Holloway road.

The new address seems to be a result of Smith being joined in partnership with a Mr Wilson and taking the additional premises in Holloway Road. In an advert, again in Model Engineer, it also gives an address for the Belvedere Model Motor Works at 7, Andover Yard, 219 Hornsey Road. This advert mentions winning first prize in the 'Model Boat Regatta' with 'the metre boat Baby, fitted with one of our small engines.' 

By 1913 he had added four more single cylinder units to the range, in 33cc, 50cc, 70cc and 90cc sizes. In common with other manufacturers, crankcases were available to mount two cylinders horizontally opposed to double the capacity.

The advert right also offers model sparking plugs at 2/- (ten pence).

Leda III with top removed to show the engine room

The new hull, also called 'Leda III', would win an incredible number of competitions over the next 40 years. The tinplate hydroplane hull was used for straight running and circular course events all over the country and abroad. Ted would take the boat on the overnight train to a lake in Newcastle, Cardiff or even Scotland. The engine was started with a twist of the key and Ted would put on a one-man exhibition of model boating. Remarkably, Leda has survived with its original motor to provide a tangible link with W.J. Smith.