Between 1938 and 1941 the Boeing Corporation produced the 314 Clipper Flying Boat. These planes were designed to land on the water and were, at the time, one of the largest planes in the world. In all, twelve of the planes were built.
The Bermuda Sky Queen, originally known as the Cape Town Clipper, was one of these planes. Sold to the US Navy in 1942, it was sold to American International Airways in 1947 for commercial use. On October 13, 1947 the Bermuda Sky Queen departed Foynes, Ireland for Gander, Newfoundland with 62 passengers. The winds were a problem, and it became clear to Captain Charles Martin at the half-way point that they would not be able to reach their destination. With land far off, they were forced to set the plane down in the Atlantic Ocean as near a Coast Guard Cutter as they could. Despite the high winds and 30 foot seas, Captain Martin was able to land the Bermuda Sky Queen without damage.
The high seas made it nearly impossible to transfer the passengers to the Coast Guard Cutter. At one point, the two vessels collided. Finally, after days of careful work, every passenger and crew member was pulled off the sea plane. The Bermuda Sky Queen, now damaged from the collision and caught adrift in the ocean, was sunk as a hazard to surface navigation.
-Professor Walter
You may read the Civil Aviation Board's inquiry into the event here.
Charles Martin was fined and Capt Cronk commanding the USCGC Bibb saved them all, thanks to his brave crew.
Posted by: J. Crpnk | 05/09/2016 at 06:00 AM