H96.1.1968

Typed paper glued to the back, "Left to right---Lt. L.W. Curtin, Commander John Rodgers and Lt. B.J. Connell, heroes of the airplane flight to Hawaii waving farewell at Oakland Pier as they boarded the San Francisco Overland Limited for Washington where Rogers and Connell will testify before the President's aviation investigating committee." Photo shows the three men in their navy uniforms holding their hats above their heads as they wave goodby from the back of a train. Several other people are standing on the back of the train with them. The name of the train is the "San Francisco Overland Limited." 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. Lt. Lawrence Curtin was a last minute replacement as navigator for Captain Rene Fonck. Fonck was in competition for the Orteig prize for the first transatlantic flight. On Fonck's first attempt the plane crashed soon after a difficult take-off, killing two crew members but Fonck and Curtin escaped injury. Although Curtin was willing to be navigator on Fonck's second attempt, the Navy revoked his leave. Charles Lindburgh won the Orteig prize for the first transatlantic flight. Rodgers testified before the President's Aircraft Board which held hearing between September and October 1925. The Board was established to study the best means for developing and applying aviation in the military.

Used: Oakland Tribune