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xenithThis might be of interest. I spent this afternoon tracking down the story behind a painting. The only image I can find now is the poor quality one on the Armitage Auction page but if you read the plaque you'll discover it's a painting of this event:
Aeroplaning.
Lieut. Long in his B.P., with Mr. Palfreyman (Hobart), left on the return flight to the capital yesterday about midday. He is expected to fly back to Launceston this afternoon; having as passenger Mrs. J. Nelson, of the Majestic Cafe, and leaving Hobart between 2 and 3 p.m. This will be the first occasion on which a lady has travelled by aeroplane between the two cities.
Examiner 5 November, 1919
The following day, a longer article represented Mrs Nelson impressions of the flight:
By plane from Hobart.
To Mrs. J. Nelson, of the Majestic Cafe, belongs the honour of being the first lady to make the journey from Hobart to Launceston by aeroplane. She was a passenger yesterday afternoon with Lieutenant Long in his B.P. El wick was left at 5 p.m., and a landing was made in a field adjacent to Mow- bray about 6.20 p.m. After passing, Oatlands a very strong northerly wind was encountered, and this considerably decreased the speed of the 'plane, which arrival a few minutes later than anticipated. The highest altitude reached was 7000ft., the average for the trip being 4000ft. Mrs. Nelson when spoken to last evening said she enjoyed the flight immensely. She felt a slight sensation in the take-off from the ground, but no other until the landing. The various townships were plainly visible all the way through. The noise of the propeller and the rush of the wind, caused by the quick motion, were matters that claimed her attention. "This," she added, "was only to be expected. So far as the flight is concerned there is nothing to be afraid about. Really I did not feel that we were travelling last. I can strongly advise anyone to go up. This experience is an interesting one that no one should miss. Coming over the city, the East Launceston- ton bowling green looked like a speck. Murray's and Genders' buildings were plainly distinguishable. I felt somewhat excited at landing, but would not have missed the experience for anything." Lieutenant Long is to make trips over the city during the week. Arrangements for short flights can be made at Heathorn's(?) garage.
Examiner, 6 November 1919
Kate Nelson was proprietress of the Majestic Tea Rooms & Sweat Shop in Brisbane St.
At morning tea, lunch, evening tea, and supper, a professional orchestra pleasingly renders the latest and best known musical hits, While the newest Edison diamond disc machine provides music the rest of the time. In passing through the shop to the stairway leading to the tea room on the upper flat, an exquisite soda fountain is noted. The fountain is brilliant with coloured electric lights, and an army of bottles proclaim to the public that sparkling drinks are "on tap."
Her husband, John Nelson, was a founder of greyhound racing in the state, established White City (the racing track) and was one of the first registered bookmakers in 1932. Twenty years prior to that he was raided by police for illegal bookmaking. He died in 1946, and his wife died in 1965, which would make her about 30 years of age when she went flying.
The Weekly Courier published a photo after the flight, of the three participants: pilot, passenger & plane. (No direct link, except to 1919 and then 20 Novemver, inset 4.) The plane is a Boulton Paul. (A Boulton Paul P.9 according to Wikipedia, and that has a link to a 1922 article with more than you really want to know about B.P.'s.)
The previous images in that Courier issue show the first aerial photographs of Launceston, taken from Lt Long's place. He was rather busy in that year.
Tasmania's first unofficial airmail flight occurred in 1919 when Lieutenant Arthur Long left Hobart in a Boulton-Paul bi-plane shortly before 7 am with a compass, a map and a bag of unfranked letters. Soon lost in cloud, he emerged over Maria Island and flew back to Ross to regain his bearings, with his passenger throwing out bundles of the Mercury in what was reckoned to be the first aerial delivery of a newspaper in Australia. Flying as low as 60 feet to identify towns, where large crowds followed his progress, he reached Launceston triumphantly at midday.
From The Companion to Tasmanian History
That flight rated a whole page in the Mercury, including an ongoing commentary by Mackenzie, the passenger.
"It is now 7.42, and we are over Jericho, and see people running out to welcome us. There goes my pocket handkerchief. I will have to wave my hand now. Long is grinning over the pocket handkerchief."
"Still lost, and it is 8.50. No, we're not; there's a big town, anyway. I think I recognise Mona Vale. If so we are on Ross. A swoop at five to 9 shows us that the railway station is labelled Ross. The wandering boys have returned at last.
"There is a huge crowd in the streets, under verandahs, on balconies and roofs. There go the youngsters out of school. We have just completed our fourth S turn. There goes the Ross bundle. The petrol and oil are getting low, and it is two minutes to 9. We have been in the air over two hours, and the bumps accompany us with diabolical pertinacity. Long is enjoying himself immensely, and roaring out something I cannot hear owing to the wind and our speed of 80 miles per hour. Switch off, and down in a dive. Long shouts that he cannot see for the oil on his 'windows.' I have just taken them from him and am cleaning them with a good silk handkerchief. Oil is flying everywhere ; the breakers are fairly vomiting it all over me."
In December, Long was the first person to fly across Bass Strait .
It seems 1919 was an exciting year for aviation in Tasmania. On 11th October, the Advocate (north-west's newspaper) reported:
CITY INCIDENTS
AIRSHIPS OVER HOBART.
HOBART, Friday. - For the first time, in the history of Hobart two aeroplanes were seen inflight today over the city. Captain Cummings was in his Sopwith pup, and Lieut. Long in his two-seater, carrying passengers. Their evolutions were brilliantly carried out, and diving, planing, banking, etc., delighted a large number of on-lookers.
Hobart's Mercury had this to say about that day:
THE AEROPLANES.
The commercial aeroplane, owned by Lieut Long, commenced its career yesterday by taking up three passengers, two ladies and a gentleman. The ladies were Mrs Harris Palfreyman and Miss Elsie Nairn. Mrs Palfreyman was the lady to have the honour of the first trip Miss Nairn was more daring however, and specifically requested the machine to be taken through a loop and half rolled. Lieut Long complied with her request, and afterwards she said she enjoyed it wonderfully Both ladies, in fact, are keen to go up again. Captain Cummings in his Sopwith pup and the B P subsequently manoeuvred together over the city and created great interest The pup showed herself much the quicker in manoeuvres, but it was an interesting display. The looping, half-rolling, and split tail turning of the machines were a delight to the thousands who flocked into the streets to see the flight.
Captain Cummings, a local boy, and his Sopwith Pup turned up in August of that year, raising money for Peace Loans (funds for war veterans). It seems even a crashed plane is useful for publicity.
Later in August, the Mercury informs its readers of the correct terms to use when referring to a plane, I mean, bus and the airmen who fly and do stunts in them. A couple of days later there is a detailed description of Cummings' pup and a mention of the expected arrival of (Long's) two-seater passenger plane, for the benefit of anyone who wants to fly.
There are other items of aviation interest at the time, in October, Mercury readers are informed "it is also time the State and Federal Governments thought about the question of flying tickets (or 'licenses')" and there was the England to Australia air race...
We have to consider, however, that the chief purpose and the only excuse for this dangerous trans-world flight is the demonstration of its practicability as an aero route, and passenger planes can-not take on jumps of this length. Long routes like these are for, airships, not aeroplanes, and the public will realise that when the flyers publish their observations on the trip.
Mercury, 8 December 1919
To finish off, a description of the first flights on the island: in 1914 Mr Delfosse Badgery brought his plane down for an aerial display at tthe Elwick Showgrounds, in Hobart and then in Launceston. (Trying to imagine what it would be like to see a real flying machine for the first time. Off the big screen, anyway.)
Aeroplaning.
Lieut. Long in his B.P., with Mr. Palfreyman (Hobart), left on the return flight to the capital yesterday about midday. He is expected to fly back to Launceston this afternoon; having as passenger Mrs. J. Nelson, of the Majestic Cafe, and leaving Hobart between 2 and 3 p.m. This will be the first occasion on which a lady has travelled by aeroplane between the two cities.
Examiner 5 November, 1919
The following day, a longer article represented Mrs Nelson impressions of the flight:
To Mrs. J. Nelson, of the Majestic Cafe, belongs the honour of being the first lady to make the journey from Hobart to Launceston by aeroplane. She was a passenger yesterday afternoon with Lieutenant Long in his B.P. El wick was left at 5 p.m., and a landing was made in a field adjacent to Mow- bray about 6.20 p.m. After passing, Oatlands a very strong northerly wind was encountered, and this considerably decreased the speed of the 'plane, which arrival a few minutes later than anticipated. The highest altitude reached was 7000ft., the average for the trip being 4000ft. Mrs. Nelson when spoken to last evening said she enjoyed the flight immensely. She felt a slight sensation in the take-off from the ground, but no other until the landing. The various townships were plainly visible all the way through. The noise of the propeller and the rush of the wind, caused by the quick motion, were matters that claimed her attention. "This," she added, "was only to be expected. So far as the flight is concerned there is nothing to be afraid about. Really I did not feel that we were travelling last. I can strongly advise anyone to go up. This experience is an interesting one that no one should miss. Coming over the city, the East Launceston- ton bowling green looked like a speck. Murray's and Genders' buildings were plainly distinguishable. I felt somewhat excited at landing, but would not have missed the experience for anything." Lieutenant Long is to make trips over the city during the week. Arrangements for short flights can be made at Heathorn's(?) garage.
Examiner, 6 November 1919
Kate Nelson was proprietress of the Majestic Tea Rooms & Sweat Shop in Brisbane St.
At morning tea, lunch, evening tea, and supper, a professional orchestra pleasingly renders the latest and best known musical hits, While the newest Edison diamond disc machine provides music the rest of the time. In passing through the shop to the stairway leading to the tea room on the upper flat, an exquisite soda fountain is noted. The fountain is brilliant with coloured electric lights, and an army of bottles proclaim to the public that sparkling drinks are "on tap."
Her husband, John Nelson, was a founder of greyhound racing in the state, established White City (the racing track) and was one of the first registered bookmakers in 1932. Twenty years prior to that he was raided by police for illegal bookmaking. He died in 1946, and his wife died in 1965, which would make her about 30 years of age when she went flying.
The Weekly Courier published a photo after the flight, of the three participants: pilot, passenger & plane. (No direct link, except to 1919 and then 20 Novemver, inset 4.) The plane is a Boulton Paul. (A Boulton Paul P.9 according to Wikipedia, and that has a link to a 1922 article with more than you really want to know about B.P.'s.)
The previous images in that Courier issue show the first aerial photographs of Launceston, taken from Lt Long's place. He was rather busy in that year.
Tasmania's first unofficial airmail flight occurred in 1919 when Lieutenant Arthur Long left Hobart in a Boulton-Paul bi-plane shortly before 7 am with a compass, a map and a bag of unfranked letters. Soon lost in cloud, he emerged over Maria Island and flew back to Ross to regain his bearings, with his passenger throwing out bundles of the Mercury in what was reckoned to be the first aerial delivery of a newspaper in Australia. Flying as low as 60 feet to identify towns, where large crowds followed his progress, he reached Launceston triumphantly at midday.
From The Companion to Tasmanian History
That flight rated a whole page in the Mercury, including an ongoing commentary by Mackenzie, the passenger.
"It is now 7.42, and we are over Jericho, and see people running out to welcome us. There goes my pocket handkerchief. I will have to wave my hand now. Long is grinning over the pocket handkerchief."
"Still lost, and it is 8.50. No, we're not; there's a big town, anyway. I think I recognise Mona Vale. If so we are on Ross. A swoop at five to 9 shows us that the railway station is labelled Ross. The wandering boys have returned at last.
"There is a huge crowd in the streets, under verandahs, on balconies and roofs. There go the youngsters out of school. We have just completed our fourth S turn. There goes the Ross bundle. The petrol and oil are getting low, and it is two minutes to 9. We have been in the air over two hours, and the bumps accompany us with diabolical pertinacity. Long is enjoying himself immensely, and roaring out something I cannot hear owing to the wind and our speed of 80 miles per hour. Switch off, and down in a dive. Long shouts that he cannot see for the oil on his 'windows.' I have just taken them from him and am cleaning them with a good silk handkerchief. Oil is flying everywhere ; the breakers are fairly vomiting it all over me."
In December, Long was the first person to fly across Bass Strait .
It seems 1919 was an exciting year for aviation in Tasmania. On 11th October, the Advocate (north-west's newspaper) reported:
AIRSHIPS OVER HOBART.
HOBART, Friday. - For the first time, in the history of Hobart two aeroplanes were seen inflight today over the city. Captain Cummings was in his Sopwith pup, and Lieut. Long in his two-seater, carrying passengers. Their evolutions were brilliantly carried out, and diving, planing, banking, etc., delighted a large number of on-lookers.
Hobart's Mercury had this to say about that day:
The commercial aeroplane, owned by Lieut Long, commenced its career yesterday by taking up three passengers, two ladies and a gentleman. The ladies were Mrs Harris Palfreyman and Miss Elsie Nairn. Mrs Palfreyman was the lady to have the honour of the first trip Miss Nairn was more daring however, and specifically requested the machine to be taken through a loop and half rolled. Lieut Long complied with her request, and afterwards she said she enjoyed it wonderfully Both ladies, in fact, are keen to go up again. Captain Cummings in his Sopwith pup and the B P subsequently manoeuvred together over the city and created great interest The pup showed herself much the quicker in manoeuvres, but it was an interesting display. The looping, half-rolling, and split tail turning of the machines were a delight to the thousands who flocked into the streets to see the flight.
Captain Cummings, a local boy, and his Sopwith Pup turned up in August of that year, raising money for Peace Loans (funds for war veterans). It seems even a crashed plane is useful for publicity.
Later in August, the Mercury informs its readers of the correct terms to use when referring to a plane, I mean, bus and the airmen who fly and do stunts in them. A couple of days later there is a detailed description of Cummings' pup and a mention of the expected arrival of (Long's) two-seater passenger plane, for the benefit of anyone who wants to fly.
There are other items of aviation interest at the time, in October, Mercury readers are informed "it is also time the State and Federal Governments thought about the question of flying tickets (or 'licenses')" and there was the England to Australia air race...
We have to consider, however, that the chief purpose and the only excuse for this dangerous trans-world flight is the demonstration of its practicability as an aero route, and passenger planes can-not take on jumps of this length. Long routes like these are for, airships, not aeroplanes, and the public will realise that when the flyers publish their observations on the trip.
Mercury, 8 December 1919
To finish off, a description of the first flights on the island: in 1914 Mr Delfosse Badgery brought his plane down for an aerial display at tthe Elwick Showgrounds, in Hobart and then in Launceston. (Trying to imagine what it would be like to see a real flying machine for the first time. Off the big screen, anyway.)
