curtissmodelh

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:

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

"The bottle was wired tightly between two horseshoes to facilitate its breakage while also symbolizing good luck." After four failed swings (two by Masson, two by Porte) the bottle slipped out of its horseshoe sling and rolled on the ground..."As a last resort, the bottle was trussed to the prow and Porte grimly assaulted it with a sledgehammer. Both the hull and Porte's wearing apparel were doused with foaming champagne, to the 'considerable merriment' of the onlookers." from "Glenn Curtiss, Pioneer of Flight," by C.R. Roseberry. Syracuse University Press, 1972. p.373-74

In contrast to Porte's overkill sledgehammer, Glenn Curtiss appears to be holding a small ball-peen hammer. The right tool for the job, as always.