Springfield, Massachusetts – August 24, 1913

     On August 24, 1913, 20-year-old Ralph M. Brown was piloting a hydroplane over the Springfield area with his younger brother Raymond as a passenger.  As they were passing over the Connecticut River the aircraft suddenly plunged into the water from an altitude of 100 feet.  Both managed to free themselves from the wreckage and clung to the plane’s pontoons until they were rescued by a passing boater. 

     Source:  Rock Island Argus, (Ill.), August 25, 1913 

     For more info about Ralph Brown, click here.