hearstprize

The date on the photograph is September 17, 1911. This is the day Cal Rodgers took off from Sheepshead Bay, New York at 4:30 pm in pursuit of the Hearst Prize. The Hearst Prize was offered by George Randolph Hearst to the first aviator to fly coast to coast across the United States, in either direction, in fewer than 30 days from start to finish. Rodgers flew a Wright EX Flyer, a modified Model B, named the "Vin Fiz Flyer". Vin Fiz was the sponsor of Rodgers and his airplane. Rodgers would eventually reach Pasadena, California on November 5, 1911, after multiple crashes and mechanical problems throughout his journey. Rodgers would not win the prize because he exceeded the 30 day requirement, and the prize itself had expired weeks earlier. However, Rodgers and the Vin Fiz Flyer would be the first to complete a journey coast to coast across the United States. Calbraith Perry Rodgers earlyaviators.com/erodgers.htm

That's James "Jimmie" Ward www.earlyaviators.com/eward1.htm I would date this pic at 1911 -- he did a lot of flying then and as arrested on bigamy charges in June of 1912.

The inscribed date on the photo (reversed) reads "9/13/11" (albeit with a poorly inscribed "3"). This dates the photo to September 13, 1911, the day Jimmie Ward took off from Governors Island in his Curtiss Pusher (named "Hearst Pathfinder") in pursuit of the William Randolph Hearst Prize, a $50,000 prize to the first aviator to complete a transcontinental flight of the United States within 30 days by October 11, 1911. Ward's aircraft would suffer an engine failure a three days after this photo. After repairs, Ward would continue his journey, but would be forced to withdraw after his aircraft was wrecked beyond repair (again, after an engine failure and crash landing) on September 22, 1911.

Thanks so much for filling in the picture, TVL 1970. Amazing to think of flying one of those planes. We'll fill in the title information and add the date next time we update the record. We appreciate your help!

Other Bain/LOC photos of Aviator James "Jimmie" Ward on Governors Island: Receiving a sendoff from Governors Island resident General Frederick Dent Grant:: Ward takes off:

Aero Club of America Pilot # 52

www.first-to-fly.com/History/History of Airplane/hearstprize.htm

This image had to be between 1910 and 1912...there is no way it could be later than April 3rd of that year. In a flight over Long Beach, Rodgers flew into a flock of sea gulls; his plane crashing into the surf. He perished with a broken neck.