EUGENE ELY
1879-1911
 
 
Eugene Ely
 
 
Eugene Ely
Library of Congress Collection
 

 
 
Eugene Ely
 
 
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
 

 
 
Eugene Ely
 
 
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
 

 
 
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.
 

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

 
 
Walden Model IX monoplane
 
 
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
 

 
 
 
 
Eugene Ely
 
 
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
 

 
 
Eugene Ely
 
 
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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