The Case:
Almost ten years before Charles Lindbergh’s famous solo flight across the Atlantic, the NC-4 was the first aircraft to make the transatlantic journey in May, 1919.
Now, a woman in Saratoga, CA, has a small square of canvas-like fabric that she believes comes from the NC-4, one of four U.S. Navy “flying boats” that had originally been commissioned to alert American destroyers to the locations of German U-boat submarines that were wreaking havoc on merchant ships along the U.S. coast during World War I.
Interestingly, due to early mechanical problems, the NC-4 was considered by many aviation insiders to be the least likely candidate to complete the trek across the Atlantic.
History Detectives investigates the little-known story of the NC-4 and its historic voyage.
Season 5, Episode 6
Season 6, Episode 8
Detective:
Elyse Luray
Location:Pensacola, Florida and Hammondsport, New York
Related Content
Video:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Movie Palace
Is this small Wisconsin town theater the country's first great movie palace?
-
Related Investigation
Lindbergh Engine
Could a 24-year-old have single-handedly built the engine for Lindbergh's plane?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Lafayette China
Did the Marquis de Lafayette give this china set to the popular wife of the Patriot Mayor?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Silent Film Reel
Could this film reel could be a silent movie once lost forever to history?
-
Related Investigation
Hindenburg Artifact
Was this device snatched from the burning wreckage of the ill-fated zeppelin?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
General Lee's Farewell Address
Could this be a signed copy of one of the most famous documents in the history of the Civil War?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.