christening

As per Glenn Curtiss - Pioneer of Flight (1991), by Cecil R. Roseberry, this photo depicts the christening and launching of the Curtiss Model H Flying Boat "America" on June 22, 1914 in Hammondsport, New York, just adjacent to Keuka Lake. From left to right, aviators John Cyril Porte, George E.A. Hallett, and (builder) Glenn Curtiss stand below 16-year old Miss Katherine Masson. Miss Masson, the daughter of Leon Masson, an official with the Pleasant Valley Wine Company (and granddaughter of Jules Masson), was chosen to christen the America with a bottle of champagne (which proved to be a fitful task). The aircraft's construction by Glenn Curtiss was commissioned by Rodman Wanamaker, the son of department store founder John Wanamaker, in order to compete for the ₤10,000 prize offered by the Daily Mail newspaper for the first non-stop aerial crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. The Curtiss Model H-1 flying boat was Initially known as the "Rodman Wanamaker Transatlantic Flyer," but the name "America" was chosen for the aircraft by Wanamaker. Ultimately, the outbreak of the the First World War would intercede and "America" would never make its planned transatlantic flight. Here's a link to British Pathe newsreel film of the assembly and christening of the America, along with footage of a stubborn bottle of champagne. www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=80471 Another Bain photo of the trio and Miss Masson:

Other Bain/LOC photos of the flying boat, "America": and another Curtiss flying boat:

Lady Murphy, wife of Bahamas Governor Sir William Murphy, Christening of Pan American Airways (PAA) Convair 240 named "Clipper Bahamas" at Nassau on Monday, June 14, 1948. See: Sarasota (Florida) Herald Tribune, June 15, 1948, Page 8, "New Air Service." news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19480615&... Now, here's where things get interesting. . . Another photo in this group of photos shows the Clipper Bahamas: Note the fleet number, "659", on the doors for the nose landing gear. This number was usually composed of the last three digits of the registration number for Pan Am's CV-240 fleet. In this case, "Clipper Bahamas" would have the registration NC90659 (N90659). However, see this photo of the Christening of the Pan Am Convair 240 named "Clipper Cuba": Although not as apparent, "Clipper Cuba" wears "659" on the nose gear doors as well. We do know that Clipper Cuba wore the registration NC60659 (N60659, c/n 34) and was delivered to Pan American Airways on April 28, 1948. It was not uncommon for Pan Am change the "Clipper" name of aircraft for various reasons. I suspect that "Clipper Bahamas" was a name of temporary convenience for NC60659 (c/n 34) for public relations and promotional reasons as it began its new service to the Bahamas. Of course, the same could be said for the use of the name "Clipper Cuba". . .

Great document..!! Congrats for your work..!!

amazing condition for such an old photo!

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Beautiful picture of very elegant and privileged people! The babies were quite alert and probably some months old by then, unusual to delay the baptism so long given the level of child mortality. The lady's dresses are so elegant and reminiscent of the period and the Rev. gentlemans attire and moustache match the scene. Another one to make our Movember wannabees green with envy!