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from 1910 French Newspaper Collection of Jean-Pierre Lauwers |
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Flying with a Passenger from Paris to British Coast. Today, he will attempt to win prize by continuing his flight to London Deal, England, Aug. 17. Daily Journal and Tribune, Knoxville, Tennessee: August 17, 1910, Transcribed by Bob Davis - 9-2-03 The two-man flight from France to England ws more astonishing, for it was only a month ago that Moissant learned to fly and he made so few flights and was so little known among air men that even his nationality was not disclosed. He was reported to be a Spaniard and it was only when he landed in England today that it was revealed that he is a young Chicago architect. To make the feat still more surprising, Moissant was totally ignorant of the geography of his course. He had never been in England and was obliged to rely on the compass while the crossing of the channel was accomplished in the teeth of a strong westerly wind. |
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from a French newspaper, 1910 Collection of Jean-Pierre Lauwers |
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The channel flight was an incident in the aerial voyage from Paris to London. Moissant left Issy
yesterday with Hubert Latham and reached Amiens in two hours. Latham's aeroplane was wrecked and this morning Moissant, leaving
Amiens at an early hour, headed for Calais. His mechanician, Albert Fileux, who had accompanied him across the country, took his
place in the machine, when the motor was set in motion for the dash across the channel. Spectators Amazed - Thousands who had
gathered to watch the daring aviator were amazed and urged him not to make the attempt in the face of a half gale that was blowing.
Moissant cared nothing for the warnings of the people and even the fact that there was no torpedo boat to follow in his wake, but only a
slow moving tug, did not deter him. He made the trip in thirty-seven minutes. When he descended, his eyes were bloodshot and greatly
inflamed as a result of the heavy rain storm into which they drove on approaching the English coast.He high wind beat the rain into the
faces of the men like hail and almost blinded them. An average height of between 300 and 400 feet was maintained over the water. The aviator expected to land at Dover but was forced by the wind a few miles north, and made the coast near Deal. The cold was intense and both Moissant and his mechanician were benumbed. Moissant seemed to take his monumental feat as though it were a daily occurrence. Moissant's Story When he revived sufficiently he laughed and said to an interviewer: 'This is my first visit to England.' Describing his experiences, he said: 'This is only my sixth flight in an aeroplane. I did not know the way from Paris to Calais when I started and I do not know the way to London. I shall have to rely on the compass. I would like to land in Hyde Park if I can find it." Bob Davis |
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by René Fonck |
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One Two Three Four Five |
Mobilization - 1914 Pilot Training - 1915 In The Squadron In the Vosges Mountains The Squadron Moves |
Six Seven Eight Nine Ten |
First Citation - 1915 Champagne Offensive - 1915 First Leave Aerial Photos Hit by Antiaircraft - 1916 |
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Editor's Note: If you have any more information on this Early Flier, please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper 
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