The First Flight Across the Atlantic
The U.S. Navy achieved the first transatlantic flight eight years before Charles Lindbergh became world famous for crossing the Atlantic nonstop and alone. Three Curtiss flying boats, each with a crew of six, were involved: NC-1, NC-3, and NC-4. The Navy wanted to prove the capability of the airplane as a transoceanic weapon and technology.
The five-leg flight began on May 8, 1919, at the naval air station at Rockaway Beach, New York. It followed a route to Nova Scotia; Newfoundland; the Azores in the middle of the Atlantic; Lisbon, Portugal; and Plymouth, England. Only NC-4, commanded by Albert C. Read, flew the whole way. The entire trip took 24 days.
Event Date:
Sunday, June 1, 1919
Image Reference:
The NC-4 Taxis into Lisbon Harbor
Full Size Image Reference:
The NC-4 Taxis into Lisbon Harbor
Carousel Image Reference:
The NC-4 Taxis into Lisbon Harbor
NC-1, NC-3, and NC-4 and their Crews
The Damaged NC-3
The Route of the NCs Across the Atlantic
The NC-4 Crew
The NC-4 on the National Mall
Sub Category:
Aviation
People Connections:
Flight Crew of the NC-4
Aircraft Connections:
Curtiss Flying Boat, NC-4
Event Year:
1 919
Event Tier:
