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
-
Related Investigation
Space Boot
What does this odd-looking boot have to do with America's first steps in space?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Revolutionary War Poem
How did this poem, written by an American prisoner in England in 1780 end up in Oregon 200 years later?
-
Also in Season 6
China Marine Jacket
Can the symbols on this jacket identify a marine who may have witnessed paradise tumbling into disaster?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Crazy Horse Photo
Is this the only photograph of a Native American legend?
-
Also in Emerging Modern America: 1890-1930
Black Tom Shell
Is this shell from a devastating act of foreign sabotage on American soil?
-
Related Investigation
Manhattan Project Patent
Was this drawing part of America's secret plans to fuel the atomic bomb?
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.