New Bedofrd Harbor – July 11, 1932

New Bedford Harbor – July 11, 1932 

     On July 11, 1932, a plane containing three men was returning to New Bedford when a sudden rain and hail storm forced the pilot to attempt an emergency water landing in New Bedford Harbor.  The aircraft hit the water a short distance from the New Bedford Gas Company pier and began to sink.  Almost immediately a boat was launched to help with rescue operations, but by the time it reached the wreck only one man was found clinging to a wing. 

     The dead were identified as Philip Mostrom, 24, the manager of Sound Airways, and Phillip S. Powell, an undertaker from New Bedford.  The third man aboard, Commander A. W. S. Agar, of the British Royal Navy, was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.  Agar was an officer aboard the H.M.S. Scarborough which was visiting New Bedford.

     Ironically, Powell had replaced another passenger who was to fly in the three-seater aircraft.  That person, George F. Almond, had decided to ride back to New Bedford in a car. 

Source:

New York Times, “Squall Hits Plane, 2 Drown, 1, Injured”, July 12, 1932

 

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