World' s Fastest Passenger Boat -- The Hydrofoil craft at speed during a demonstration run. Claimed by its inventor, Hans Von Schertel of Germany, to be the fastest passenger-carrying boat in the world, a 45-foot-long boat with wings was put through its paces on lake Lucerne, Switzerland, September 9. It covered 50 miles up and down the lake at 50 miles an hour with 32 passengers aboard. The Hydraulically-operated "Wings" lifted the main part of the craft out of the water shortly after it started, decreasing the water-drag by some 50%. The craft is powered by a 350HP diesel engine driving a normal screw. It is claimed that the boat could cross from France to Dover in rough water in only 30 minutes. September 11, 1952. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).