First American to fly an aircraft from a ship, and the first to make a shipboard landing, paving the way for modern naval aviation.
Eugene Burton Ely, an American aviation pioneer, etched his name in history by achieving a monumental feat – the first shipboard aircraft takeoff and landing. On November 14, 1910, Ely took off from the USS Birmingham, a cruiser anchored in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and landed safely on the beach, marking a significant milestone in aviation history.
Born on October 21, 1886, in Williamsburg, Iowa, Ely spent his formative years in Davenport, Iowa. After completing his eighth-grade education, he graduated from Davenport Grammar School in 1901. Ely's life took a dramatic turn when he became a chauffeur to Rev. Fr. Smyth, a Catholic priest in Cosgrove, Iowa, where he developed a passion for speed, setting a speed record between Iowa City and Davenport.
In 1906, Ely found himself in San Francisco during the great earthquake and fire. Amidst the chaos, he became involved in the early days of automobile sales and racing. A year later, he married Mabel Hall, and the couple relocated to Nevada City, California, in 1909, where Ely drove an auto stage delivery route. They eventually moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1910, where Ely's fascination with automobiles continued as an auto salesman for E. Henry Wemme.
Wemme's purchase of a Curtiss biplane franchise in the Pacific Northwest marked a turning point in Ely's life. Unable to fly the aircraft himself, Wemme handed the reins to Ely, who, believing flying was as easy as driving a car, took on the challenge. Although his initial attempt ended in a crash, Ely purchased the wreck and taught himself to fly, becoming a skilled aviator within a few months.
Ely's remarkable achievement on January 18, 1911, marked the first-ever shipboard landing, as he gently descended onto the USS Pennsylvania's deck in San Francisco Bay. This monumental feat solidified Ely's position as a pioneer in aviation history. Tragically, his life was cut short in a crash on October 19, 1911, at the age of 24.
Ely's pioneering spirit and achievements paved the way for modern naval aviation. His daredevil feats inspired generations of pilots, and his contribution to the development of aircraft carriers revolutionized naval warfare. Ely's legacy extends beyond his aviation accomplishments, serving as a testament to the power of human determination and innovation.
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