Off Revere Beach, MA – June 6, 1907

Off Revere Beach, Massachusetts – June 6, 1907  

     The following article appeared in The Sun, a now defunct New York newspaper, on June 7, 1907.  It tells of a flight over Boston made by famous aeronaut Lincoln Beachey that ended with his unintentional landing in the water one mile off shore from Revere Beach.  Beachey’s “flying machine” was constructed with a motor and a balloon, and was not an airplane.   

SAILS THE AIR OVER BOSTON

     Aeronaut Beachey Finally Is Fished Out Of The Water Off Revere Beach

     Boston, June 6, – After an exciting trip over greater Boston, Lincoln Beachey of San Francisco dropped with is flying machine into the water between Nahant and revere Beach late this afternoon and was rescued by four boats which had been chasing his disabled air craft for half an hour.

     He made his flight from an amusement place at Revere Beach to Boston Common and back, as he had promised, but many times on the way he was in danger.  Twice his motor broke down; once shortly after he had crossed the Mystic River, and again after he had got back into midair after a descent at Winthrop for temporary repairs.

     The second time he was carried several miles in the direction of Boston Light.  Then he got temporary control of the machine again and sailed over Nahant, and finally, a mile off Revere Beach, he dropped into the water.  The boats which had started after him when he was seen wabbling in the air above Winthrop soon reached him and fifteen minutes later had him and his airship on shore.

     On the way to the Commons he circled his airship twice around the State dome and dropped a message for Gov. Guild.  The Governor and most of the legislators crowded the balconies and sidewalks about the State House as the airship sailed over them.  There were 50,000 persons on the Common when the airship descended near the Soldiers Monument.        

Lincoln Beachey’s Airship – August, 1907

Lincoln Beachey’s Airship – August, 1907

     The following news snippet appeared in the Falmouth Enterprise in an article about happenings in New Bedford, Massachusetts, during Carnival Week in August, 1907. 

     “Many are the attractions which are offered visitors to this city during the Carnival week, but chief among them will be Lincoln Beachey’s airship which will make flights every day.  Beachey is one of the only demonstrators to have a ship that will really fly, and he will travel in it the full length of the city each time he ascends, making only one short stop in the center to show his ability to steer the unwieldly craft of the air.  During the summer he has ben a big attraction at summer resorts along the entire coast, and in every ascent he has been successful.”

     Lincoln Beachey, born March 3, 1887, was an early aviator and stunt flyer billed as “The Man Who Owns The Sky”.  Much about his life can be found on the internet. He died in a plane crash in San Francisco Bay on March 14, 1915.

     Sources:

     Falmouth Enterprise, “New Bedford Old Home And Textile Carnival”, August 24, 1907  

     Wikipedia – Lincoln Beachey

     Update: September 19, 2016

     The following article about Mr. Beechy’s airship appeared in the Cameron County Press, (Penn.) June 13, 1907, Page 3.  It pre-dates the article above.

Was Blown Out To Sea

A Man In An Airship narrowly Escaped Death In The Ocean

     “Boston, Mass. – The breaking down of his motor which allowed the airship he was navigating to be blown seaward, almost resulted in the death of Lincoln Beechey, off Revere beach, Thursday.

     Beechey had made a seven mile journey from Revere Beach to Boston, sailing high over the city and passing over the steeple of the Park Street church and the state house dome, finally landed on Boston Common, where thousands of persons were attracted by his airship.

     On the return journey to Revere Beach the motor became disabled when the aeronaut was a mile off shore, over Boston Harbor, and the airship was carried some distance seaward.  Beechey finally managed to partially repair his engine so as to get back to the vicinity of Revere Beach.  When several hundred feet off shore the airship settled rapidly and it looked as if Beechey would be thrown into the water and entangled beneath his airship.  Men in rowboats and launches who hastened to his assistance seized the drag rope and were able to tow him and his apparatus ashore before he struck the water.”       

     Source:

     Cameron County Press, “Was Blown Out To Sea”, June 13, 1907, Page 3

 

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