Six days were required by messengers on horseback to carry news of Cornwallis' defeat from Yorktown, Va., to New York in 1781. Yesterday the same distance was covered in a few hours by the giant Sikorsky transport which instituted airplane passenger service between New York and Yorktown, and was christened with brief ceremonies at Bolling field.
The plane left New York at 10 o'clock. At Logan field, Baltimore, it was forced to earth on account of a water leak, which was quickly remedied by workmen. The plane loomed into sight above Bolling field at 1:45 o'clock, ten minutes before it was expected. Army officers and guests welcomed the passengers. An address was delivered by Gen. R. Allyn Lewis. Count Igor Sikorsky, designer and builder of the plane, who piloted the craft to Washington, also spoke.
A bottle of water was broken across the bow of the plane by Miss Elizabeth Owens, who christened the plane the "Yorktown."
Following the christening, the plane flew to Yorktown, where zero milestones commemorative of the event are to be placed. The service has been established for New York business men who spend week-ends in Virginia.
Submitted by Anonymous Tipster on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 9:03pm.
Interesting mix of clothing, from the knickers on the left to the women's coats and hats to the brass and the big wigs--plus the mechanics/engineers on the craft. Is the girl standing on the chair going to do the honors?
