EUGENE ELY 1879-1911

Eugene Ely Library of Congress Collection

 

Photo # NH77579 Eugene Ely in his airplane, on board USS Pennsylvania, 18 Jan. 1911 Photo from Naval Historical Center

 

Eugene Ely in his airplane, on board USS Pennsylvania, 18 Jan. 1911 Photo Courtesy of Roy Nagl Ancient Aviators Website

 

John Walker, Spuds Ellyson and Eugene Ely - January 29, 1911 (Ely was killed October 9, 1911) US Naval Historical Center, collections of T.G. Ellyson and J. L. Callan From WALDO: Pioneer Aviator

California National Guard's First (Naval) Aviator Eugene Burton Ely by Mark J. Denger      "In February 1910, shortly following America's First International Air Meet in Los Angeles, E. Henry Wemme purchased one of Curtiss' first 4-cylinder Biplanes and took the agency for them in the Northwest. However, having never flown, nor having any actual knowledge of aircraft, Wemme found himself unable to fly it. Eugene Ely offered to try to fly the little 4-cylinder plane, but only wound up crashing instead. Feeling so badly about the mishap, Ely bought the wreck from Wemme. With a plane of his own, he soon made the necessary repairs, then very cautiously proceeded to teach himself to fly. He acquired the feel in the air quickly and by April, 1910, was making short straightaway hops. For the next two months he continued to practice with the new contraption and soon mastered the little flying machine." Continued      I encourage you to read this entire biography of Ely. It is comprehensive, interesting and is illustrated with six unique and fascinating photgraphs. You may access it by clicking on: Eugene Ely

 

Breathless moment as Ely took off from deck of cruiser USS BIRMINGHAM November 14, 1910 From Jackrabbits to Jets The History of North Island, San Diego, California By Elretta Sudsbury

FIRST FLIGHT SHIP TO SHORE You will find an extensive story of Ely's first flight on this Willoughby on the Web site. To read the whole story, just click on: Eugene Ely

 

Aviator Falls to His Death, Eugene Ely Drops Several Hundred Feet from Machine at Winnipeg, Man. Portland Evening Express and Advertiser, Portland, Maine July 16, 1910 Transcribed by Bob Davis - 8-9-07 Winnipeg, Man., July 16. - Eugene Ely, an aviator, in his third attempt to fly between Winnipeg and Portage La Prairie, late last night, fell a distance of several hundred feet. He was picked up in a dying condition. Bob's comment: The biography your page sends us to mentions that Ely and his wife did go to Winnipeg, but nothing of this flight. Obviously he survived and made a liar of the reporters.

 

Photo # NH1385 Eugene Ely landing on board USS Pennsylvania, in San Francisco Bay, 18 January 1911 Photo from Naval Historical Center

 

Eugene Ely and his Curtiss biplane, in flight, at the Brighton Beach Air Meet, September 8th - 10th, 1911 Photo & Text Courtesy of Roy Nagl Ancient Aviators Website

 

Wreckage of Eugene Ely's plane, after his fatal crash at Macon, Georgia, 19 Oct. 1911      "I think the tail and wings, of this biplane, have the look of a Curtiss aircraft, which I would expect Ely to have been flying at the time.It looks like there is a number 14 on the tail and on another part of the aircraft, so it might not be too difficult to identify it as Ely's biplane. On the web site which tells the story of General Robert Scott, a celebrated World War II fighter pilot, you will read that he witnessed Ely's crash when he was four years old, and was inspired to become an aviator. He is still alive today, in his nineties." Photo & Comments Courtesy of Roy Nagl Ancient Aviators Website

 

Photo # NH77606 Wreckage of Eugene Ely's plane, after his fatal crash at Macon, Georgia, 19 Oct. 1911 Photo from Naval Historical Center

 

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