H96.1.1965

Handwritten on the back, "8615. PN-9 #1 being towed into Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai, after rescue. 9-18-25." Photo shows the seaplane with a piece of canvas laying over the cockpit enclosure as it floats in the water. 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