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John CobbBritish racing driver
Date of Birth: 02.12.1899
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- John Cobb: The Unflappable Speed Demon
- Racing Career
- The Napier-Railton
- From Land to Sea
- Tragedy on Loch Ness
- Legacy
John Cobb: The Unflappable Speed Demon
Early Life and EducationOn December 2, 1899, John Rhodes Cobb was born in Esher, Surrey, near the Brooklands racing circuit. He received his education at Eton College and Cambridge University.
Racing Career
Cobb was fearless and naturally inclined towards driving large and fast vehicles. His career began with a creaky, Edwardian-era Fiat with a chain-driven engine. He later switched to a V12 Delage, which had set a new world land speed record of 143.31 mph in 1924 under René Thomas. Cobb's Fiat and Delage both had 10-liter engines, but they paled in comparison to his next steed, the crowd-pleasing Napier-Railton.
The Napier-Railton
This monstrous Napier-Railton boasted a 24-liter aircraft engine, yet it looked diminutive with Cobb's burly, square-set physique crammed into its open cockpit. Despite his imposing appearance, Cobb was a remarkably deft driver, a crucial skill in an era when cars' speeds and braking capabilities far surpassed tire technology. Controlling the teardrop-shaped Napier-Railton, designed by Reid Railton, Cobb pushed it to speeds approaching 400 mph.
From Land to Sea
As the "fastest man on land," Cobb felt compelled to conquer the water. He quickly immersed himself in the realm dominated by the aristocratic Malcolm Campbell and his Bluebird speedboat. While Cobb and Campbell shared little in common, they were both inherently competitive. At first, the formidable Cobb had zero experience handling hydroplanes or the jet engine borrowed from British company De Havilland's Comet airliners. Describing his initial attempts, he likened it to "piloting a London omnibus without tires."
Tragedy on Loch Ness
Cobb gradually learned to master the blistering speeds of his bulbous Crusader jetboat, again designed by his close collaborator, Reid Railton. His quest to answer the seemingly unanswerable question of water speed's upper limit unfolded in early September 1952. Ignoring advice from Plymouth-based Vosper, who questioned the safety of his untested boat, Cobb signed a letter absolving the company of responsibility for any subsequent actions.
In a rare moment of irritation, Cobb considered turning back due to worsening weather and the inherent risk of capsizing. A distracting ripple in the water, caused by his support boat disobeying orders to remain stationary, fueled his frustration. His speed over the measured mile averaged 206.89 mph (compared to the official record of 178.50 mph). However, Cobb's return run would never materialize.
According to one account, the cause of the fatal wake remains unknown. Set against the backdrop of Loch Ness, it inevitably sparked speculation among Loch Ness monster believers that Cobb had become its latest victim. A Vosper representative stated that Cobb had a powerful tussle with his craft about halfway through the mile. The Crusader seemed to jump, perhaps hitting this "pesky little ripple," and the once-magnificent silver boat disintegrated into floating wreckage.
Legacy
John Cobb perished on September 29, 1952, in his attempt to break the water speed record. His passion for speed and unwavering determination left an indelible mark on motor racing and watersports history. He was married twice, first to Elizabeth Mitchell-Smith in 1947 and secondly to Margaret Glass in 1950.
Cobb's achievements earned him the Segrave Trophy in 1947 for outstanding demonstrations of potential in land, sea, air, and water transport. Posthumously, he received the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct in 1953 for his "attempted water speed record and his research into high speeds on water, in which he lost his life."
Behind his formidable public persona as a taciturn and intimidating figure, Cobb was a loyal and principled friend, with a strict moral compass and a great fondness for his mother, who enjoyed a tipple or two of Manhattans or Martinis.
