Campbell Cracks World's Water Speed Record
Published in Motor Boat & Yachting , January 15 1965, writer unknown

Beats His Old Speed Figure By Almost 16 mph.

Skimming like a blue flash over Lake Dumbleyung in Australia on the last day of the old year, Donald Campbell in his 10-year-old jet-propelled boat "Bluebird" set a new world's water speed record of 276.33 mph. In the welter of sound trailing a long plume of spray in her wake "Bluebird" made her two runs up and down the course at 283.3 and 269 mph. Campbell thus fulfils his 10 year old ambition to bring off the "double" - land and water speed records - in the same year. By coincidence, the fulfilment came on the 16th anniversary of the death of his father, Sir Malcolm Campbell, who also held both records.

"Bluebird", her outrigged sponsons merely skimming the surface, roars over Lake Dumbleyung on her fastest run - 283.3 mph.

This is the seventh time that Donald Campbell has broken the water speed record - the first attempt being on Ullswater as long ago as July, 1955 - each time driving the same craft. On coming ashore after the successful runs Campbell said that he was doubtful of making further attempts with "Bluebird" - she had stood the strain well, he said, but had just about reached her limit.

The "double" in one year almost didn't come off. In the morning the conditions looked hopeless, but about midday showed signs of improvement, so Campbell and his team waited. Some three hours later they had 90 percent of the conditions they sought and went for it. Tha lake was not utterly smooth but, with only nine hours to go till 1965, time was running out.