Events in Orkneys aviation History prior to WW2
German Balloonists 1910
Above: Orkneys first aviation accident (Tom Kent) (The man on the left is George Leonard, the other two are the German balloonists Distler and Joerdens).
December 1910 three Germans took off in a balloon from outside Munich, heading they thought for Switzerland. Once aloft the weather changed, cloud built up, the wind veered and by nightfall they were completely lost. In the morning hearing the sound of the sea they descended for a look. Unfortunately their basket bounced off the top of a wave then shot upwards. When they had recovered their wits Herren Distler and Joerdens realised that their companion Herr Metzger had been thrown out of the basket. He was never seen again. As the second night approached the two survivors saw some lights and started another descent. Once again the basket hit the sea before being dragged ashore by the partially deflated balloon where they demolished a wall. They found themselves on the outskirts of Kirkwall, I would imagine very glad to be alive !
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Monday 05 December 1910
GERMAN BALLOON LANDS AT KIRKWALL.
Man Falls from car and is Drowned.
A German balloon has landed at KirkwalL A party of three left Munich for a run along the coast of Germany on Saturday last, and meeting strong east wind were driven out on the North Sea. They had most trying experience in the thick f og, and thinking they were near the Scottish coast, came down into the sea on Sunday afternoon 30 miles off the coast. One man was thrown out of the car and was drowned. Great difficulty in rising out the sea was experienced, but they eventually succeeded, and reached the Orkney coast.
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Orkney Herald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands - Wednesday 07 December 1910
ARRIVAL OF GERMAN BALLOON AT KIRKWALL.
ONE MAN LOST.
The occupants of Park Cottage, on the Berstane Road, Kirkwall, were much surprised about half past ten o'clock on Sunday night when two strangers came to the house and stated that they had just landed from a German balloon. They were Herr Distler and Herr Joerdans, two members of the Deutscher Touring Club, who, along with a companion, Herr Metzger, had ascended in an ordinary balloon with basket car at Munich, in Bavaria, about half-past four o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Their intention was to remain up twenty-four hours. They had fifty bags of sand on board, besides fittings, instruments (including an aneroid barometer, barograph, watch and compass), &c. After ascending, they were in communication for two hours with a meteorological station in the mountains of Bavaria, and the reports which they received from that station assured them that the prevailing air currents would be almost certain to carry them in the direction of Switzerland or the south of France. There was, therefore, in their opinion, no danger of their being carried over the sea. The weather, however, became foggy soon after they started, and they were carried northward. They knew when they passed Augsburg. somewhat to the north of Munich, but thereafter they did not know where they were nor the direction in which they were moving until Sunday morning, when they heard the roar of the North Sea. About half-past seven o'clock they decided to descend as far as possible, and came down almost to the surface of the sea. In order to save gas and husband their fullest they resolved to remain as low as they could with safety. Several times the car was struck by waves. and shortly after eight o'clock Herr Metzger was washed overboard and drowned. They drifted along before a strong south-east wind all day, throwing out bag after bag of ballast and all the fittings of the car. even their overcoats, in order to keep the balloon from falling into the sea, two bags being reserved for the last. A steamer and a sailing vessel were sighted, and endeavours were made to attract their attention, but without success. Even, however, had the balloonists been seen, they were driving so fast that rescue would have been impossible. About nine o'clock Orkney lights were seen, the most prominent being, it is believed from their statements, that on Auskerry. An hour later they touched land, after striking the sea twice and rebounding to a great height, and then dragging some distance in the sea. They think they first touched land can the beach at Berstane, afterwards dragging for nearly a mile over the ground, and finally coming to a stop a few yards from a deep quarry behind Park Cottage. The car landed upside down. On the balloonists getting from under it, they saw the lights of Park Cottage and proceeded there, where they were kindly given accommodation by Mrs Leonard and her family. They had suffered much front cold during their trip, but after a night's rest Herr Distler and Herr Joerdans appeared little the worse for their adventure. They had travelled a distance of 1500 or 1600 miles in thirty hours.
On Monday morning the balloon, which was considerably damaged, was packed up in the basket car, and on Tuesday morning the ballooni.is left by steamer on their return to Bavaria.
The following latter has been sent us for publication.
Paterson Manse .
Kirkwall. 6th Dec. 1910.
Sir,—l am desired by Messrs Distler and Joerdans, the survivors of the balloon journey to express on their behalf their deep sense indebtedness for the kindness they received from the people of Kirkwall. In Herr Distler's own words. ‘’From the youngest boy to the oldest man, everyone did his best to assist us." He also added, " How different it might have been we never expected to live but we might have landed a desolate shore with no one to help as. exhausted as we were." Instead. they landed within siirtit of t he hospitable cottage of the Leotards, where from the first they were kindly attended to. I would be obliged if you will findd room for this acknowledgment. —Yours Truly George Millar. .
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Monday 05 December 1910
GERMAN BALLOON LANDS AT KIRKWALL.
Man Falls from car and is Drowned.
A German balloon has landed at KirkwalL A party of three left Munich for a run along the coast of Germany on Saturday last, and meeting strong east wind were driven out on the North Sea. They had most trying experience in the thick f og, and thinking they were near the Scottish coast, came down into the sea on Sunday afternoon 30 miles off the coast. One man was thrown out of the car and was drowned. Great difficulty in rising out the sea was experienced, but they eventually succeeded, and reached the Orkney coast.
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Orkney Herald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands - Wednesday 07 December 1910
ARRIVAL OF GERMAN BALLOON AT KIRKWALL.
ONE MAN LOST.
The occupants of Park Cottage, on the Berstane Road, Kirkwall, were much surprised about half past ten o'clock on Sunday night when two strangers came to the house and stated that they had just landed from a German balloon. They were Herr Distler and Herr Joerdans, two members of the Deutscher Touring Club, who, along with a companion, Herr Metzger, had ascended in an ordinary balloon with basket car at Munich, in Bavaria, about half-past four o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Their intention was to remain up twenty-four hours. They had fifty bags of sand on board, besides fittings, instruments (including an aneroid barometer, barograph, watch and compass), &c. After ascending, they were in communication for two hours with a meteorological station in the mountains of Bavaria, and the reports which they received from that station assured them that the prevailing air currents would be almost certain to carry them in the direction of Switzerland or the south of France. There was, therefore, in their opinion, no danger of their being carried over the sea. The weather, however, became foggy soon after they started, and they were carried northward. They knew when they passed Augsburg. somewhat to the north of Munich, but thereafter they did not know where they were nor the direction in which they were moving until Sunday morning, when they heard the roar of the North Sea. About half-past seven o'clock they decided to descend as far as possible, and came down almost to the surface of the sea. In order to save gas and husband their fullest they resolved to remain as low as they could with safety. Several times the car was struck by waves. and shortly after eight o'clock Herr Metzger was washed overboard and drowned. They drifted along before a strong south-east wind all day, throwing out bag after bag of ballast and all the fittings of the car. even their overcoats, in order to keep the balloon from falling into the sea, two bags being reserved for the last. A steamer and a sailing vessel were sighted, and endeavours were made to attract their attention, but without success. Even, however, had the balloonists been seen, they were driving so fast that rescue would have been impossible. About nine o'clock Orkney lights were seen, the most prominent being, it is believed from their statements, that on Auskerry. An hour later they touched land, after striking the sea twice and rebounding to a great height, and then dragging some distance in the sea. They think they first touched land can the beach at Berstane, afterwards dragging for nearly a mile over the ground, and finally coming to a stop a few yards from a deep quarry behind Park Cottage. The car landed upside down. On the balloonists getting from under it, they saw the lights of Park Cottage and proceeded there, where they were kindly given accommodation by Mrs Leonard and her family. They had suffered much front cold during their trip, but after a night's rest Herr Distler and Herr Joerdans appeared little the worse for their adventure. They had travelled a distance of 1500 or 1600 miles in thirty hours.
On Monday morning the balloon, which was considerably damaged, was packed up in the basket car, and on Tuesday morning the ballooni.is left by steamer on their return to Bavaria.
The following latter has been sent us for publication.
Paterson Manse .
Kirkwall. 6th Dec. 1910.
Sir,—l am desired by Messrs Distler and Joerdans, the survivors of the balloon journey to express on their behalf their deep sense indebtedness for the kindness they received from the people of Kirkwall. In Herr Distler's own words. ‘’From the youngest boy to the oldest man, everyone did his best to assist us." He also added, " How different it might have been we never expected to live but we might have landed a desolate shore with no one to help as. exhausted as we were." Instead. they landed within siirtit of t he hospitable cottage of the Leotards, where from the first they were kindly attended to. I would be obliged if you will findd room for this acknowledgment. —Yours Truly George Millar. .
Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser - Friday 09 December 1910
First Aircraft Carrier Landing
Above left: The first landing on a moving British Aircraft Carrier HMS Furious took place in Scapa Flow on 2nd August 1917. The Sopwith Pup was flown by Commander Edwin Harris Dunning. DSC. RNVR.
Above Right:Sadly another attempt five days later ended tragically when the aircraft went over the side of Furious and Commander Dunning was drowned.
Seaplane bases
Houton Seaplane base
A great aerial photo of Houton today,once home to seaplanes but now a vital ferry link terminal for Islands of Hoy & Flotta. Photo: Neil Thain.
Scapa Seaplane Base
The Sea Plane base at Scapa (T Kent)
The 1924 U.S. Round the world record attempt
Left to right the American World Fliers Leslie Arnold,Henry Ogden, Leigh Wade Lowell Smith, Erick Nelson & John Hardin Jr, prior to the flight
Aircraft 3 ''Boston'' at Houton (T Kent)
Aircraft's 2 ''Chicago'' 3 ''Boston'' & 4 ''New Orleans'' at Houton (T Kent)
Daily Report 31st July 1924
By Lt. L.P. Arnold, "Chicago" Mechanic
Thursday: Much fog along the route to Iceland & today's trip was called off about 10:30.
Scapa Flow is full of the German Navy that was sunk [scuttled] here early in 1919, many of the vessels not being completely submerged. The "Hindenberg" pride of the German Navy, a dreadnought [battleship], has considerable above water & we decided to look her over -- so accompanied by Naval Officers, newspaper & cameramen, we boarded it, looked all around, even climbing to the tops of the masts. While aboard Wade lost a bet by failing to make the jump from one big gun to another & falling overboard -- the water here, by the way, being a temperature of 55 degrees.
In the afternoon we drove to the town of Kirkwall & looked the town over -- quaint narrow streets, small stone houses, use peat for fuel, and a church built in 1137. Fair Island sweaters seemed to be a best buy & I guess everyone bought a couple. Also they sell the biggest drinks anyone ever saw.
We returned to ship in time for dinner, talked & wrote awhile, and then turned in.
Lt Smith's jump!
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 02 August 1924
AMERICAN WORLD FLIERS
Two of the American world fliers, says a Kirkwall message, have returned Houton Bay. The third man has not yet arrived.
AMERICAN WORLD FLIERS
Two of the American world fliers, says a Kirkwall message, have returned Houton Bay. The third man has not yet arrived.
Lt Wade & Lt Ogdon's aircraft ''Boston'' alongside the destroyer Billingsley after ditching during the Orkney-Iceland leg of the trip. The aircraft was taken under tow but then sunk by gunfire.
http://mdah.state.ms.us/senseofplace/2014/04/07/henry-ogden-mississippis-round-the-world-aviator/
A great blog about the fliers by Jim Pitts
http://mdah.state.ms.us/senseofplace/2014/04/07/henry-ogden-mississippis-round-the-world-aviator/
A great blog about the fliers by Jim Pitts
Artefacts
Remnants of a bygone era, Royal Flying Corp wings believed to have been from an officers car bonnet mascot,now owed by Mr Ivan Craigie of Clestrain. Photo: Dave Earl.
Sopwith Camel N6636 Clestrain, Orphir 03/08/1918
The Sopwith Camel is believed to have taken off from `HMS Calliope` in Scapa Flow and was heading for either Houton or Scapa when it hit an air pocket while turning and crashed in a field at Clestrain,Orphir killing the 24 year old pilot. Lt J.P.Walker.
Above left: A Sopwith Camel.
Above right: A Ship`s flight Camel 2-F1 taking off from a ramp attached to guns aboard HMS Calliope.
Camel N6636 at Clestrain after Lt Walkers fatal flight. Photo of crash from Gregor Lamb Collection Orkney Library Photo Archives.
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