H96.1.1963

Typed paper on the back, "Watch your credit. LA 9007 Pacific & Atlantic Los Angeles. Trans-Pacific Planes Take Off From San Diego For San Franicsco. This picture shows trans -Pacific plane PN 9 #1 flagship of Commander Rodgers, who is commanding the trans-Pacific flight, taken shortly before he was forced down by engine trouble at Los Angeles Harbor. The plane was able to proceed on the San Francisco after minor adjustments. B PWFM 8/27/25." Photo shows the seaplane from the side. U.S. Navy is written on the side by the tail. The large engines are mounted at about the middle of the plane. The cockpit is in front of the engines. On August 31, 1925, Commander John Rodgers took off in a navy seaplane called a PN-9 No. 1 bound for Hawaii. No seaplane had made a flight longer than 1200 miles, the flight to Hawaii was around 900 miles longer. On September 1 the plane sent out SOS messages about running out of fuel. There was no news about Rodgers and his crew for 7 days. Although a search was initiated, Rodgers and his crew were unable to indicate their position. The crew made a sail out of fabric from the wing and floated in the direction they were heading. They were finally rescued when the plane was within sight of land, eight days after take off.

Used: Oakland Tribune