Donald Campbell’s brave but fatal record speed attempt commemorated on 50th anniversary

Television crews were in place at Coniston in the Lake District on January 4, 1967, in the expectation of witnessing the 45-year-old breaking the world water speed record. But instead they captured heartrending footage of a tragedy. At more than 300mph, Campbell lost control of his boat Bluebird K7 which was powered by a modified jet engine.

In a cloud of spray Bluebird began to break up, Campbell said “I can’t see anything… I’ve got the bows out…I’m going” before the boat flipped, killing him instantly, before sinking into the depths of the lake. 

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Meanwhile a project to restore Bluebird, which was raised 140ft from the lake bed in 2001 along with Campbell’s body, is continuing. The plan is for the famous boat to take to the water again before becoming an exhibit.

Donald Campbell was the only son of Sir Malcolm Campbell, himself a renowned motor-racing driver who set land and water speed records. Despite extensive efforts by a team of Royal Navy divers, although Bluebird’s wreckage was located on 5 January, on the lake bed, Campbell’s body was not located until 2001.

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Donald Campbell died trying to break the world water sped record 50 years ago

On January 28, 1967 Campbell was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct “for courage and determination in attacking the world water speed record.”

A timetable for commemoration events taking place in Coniston in the Lake District to mark the 50th anniversary of a British speed record breaker has been announced. 

One of the highlights of the 50th anniversary commemoration will be an RAF fast jet flypast from south to north on the lake, starting at 8.48am on Wednesday January 4. People will be able to watch the spectacle from the lake shore. 

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Campbell with his boat Bluebird K7

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His was killed instantly when the boat flipped

Later, at 11am, members of the public are invited to join K7 Club members to pay tribute to the speed ace at The Campbell Memorial, on the green between the main car park and the Crown Hotel. People will also be invited to lay wreaths and say prayers at the graveside in Coniston Cemetery. 

On Tuesday January 3, at 2pm on Dodgson Wood Car Park, there will be an informal question and answer session with Neil Sheppard, the writer of The Final Record Attempt: A Different Perspective.

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Campbell’s body was not located until 2001

There will also be a talk by Keith Hick about Campbell on January 5 at Coniston Mechanics’ Institute. 

Friday, January 6, features a day in Glenridding and Ullswater to celebrate the first UK 200mph record. Ullswater was the venue for Donald Campbell’s first World Water Speed Record, which he set at more than 200mph and proceedings start at around 11.30am at the memorial to Donald Campbell.