While going through an old photo album of my grandmother's, I found this postcard of a nicely dressed man standing upon a slightly modified Wright B Flyer with "Atwood At Nyack, N.Y." printed in the lower right corner. Some quick online research yielded the name, "Henry Nelson Atwood" (November 15, 1883 – July 14, 1967) and information about the Boston native's record setting flight from St. Louis to New York City in August of 1911. On August 24th, the eleventh day of his journey, Atwood was flying at approximately 800 feet above the Hudson River toward New York City when he developed engine trouble and began to lose altitude near Nyack, New York. He searched for a suitable place to land and decided to touch down in a meadow on the estate of Mr.W. D. Davies. Upon landing, Atwood examined the engine and quickly diagnosed the problem as a burned out engine rod. He acquired an automobile and drove the roughly 25 mile distance to New York to purchase a replacement part. He returned in the afternoon with the part and his mechanic, R. F. Lemat, made the repair late the same day. By the next morning he was ready to resume the journey. All he needed was a favorable breeze. Due to the hilly terrain of the meadow and the presence of many trees, he needed a light easterly wind to help him rise above the trees at the edge of the meadow. On the morning of the 25th, the winds were indeed favorable. To a crowd of about one hundred curious onlookers, Atwood loudly proclaimed, "New York or bust!" before opening up the throttle. The biplane lifted in time to clear the trees and the Boston aviator was on his way.
In the photo you may notice the cylindrical form on which Atwood stands. This is one of two pontoons that Atwood fabricated and attached to the Wright B Flyer. They were to be useful in keeping the plane afloat should he have to land in water.
My grandmother spent summers at a house in Nyack and was very possibly familiar with the Davies family or at least they may have lived nearby. On the back of the post card the words "Part of Mrs. Davies' Estate 1911" are written. My grandmother was 16 years old in 1911. An event such as this would have surely captured the imagination of many at that time.
*Addendum:
9/20/2015
The house my grandmother visited in Nyack, New York was, in fact, the home of the Davies. I have found photos in one of her old albums to prove it. The rather large and imposing home along the Hudson was named 'Belle Crest.'
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My grandmother, Edna Montgomery, (front left) on the steps of
'Belle Crest' with the Davies family and
their dogs ca., 1916. |
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Postcard of the Davies' home in Nyack, New York.
The house was 62' wide x 50' deep made of mountain stone
and lumber. Built upon the old Green estate. |
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My Grandmother, Edna Montgomery, on the
front lawn of the Davies' home,
'Belle Crest' ca., 1916 |
