NC-4: Pioneering Seaplanes Historic Transatlantic Flight

The photograph captures the NC-4, a historic seaplane that achieved the first-ever transatlantic flight in May 1919. This momentous journey was part of a U.S. Navy mission to demonstrate the capabilities of naval aviation. The NC-4 took off from Naval Air Station Rockaway in New York, ultimately reaching Plymouth, England, after a grueling flight of approximately 23 hours spread over several legs.

Piloted by Lt. Commander Albert C. Read, the NC-4 served not only as a technological marvel of its time but also as a symbol of progress in aviation. The journey covered roughly 3,400 miles, with stops in the Azores and Portugal, showcasing the advances in navigation and aviation endurance. The successful flight marked a pivotal moment in air travel history, paving the way for future transatlantic commercial flights and connecting continents in ways previously deemed impossible.