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| Side view of the Sopwith |
For International Museum Day 2021 here at the Admiralty House Communications Museum we are celebrating the Sopwith Team. On this day 102 years ago, Australian Pilot Harry Hawker and Scottish Lieutenant-Commander Kenneth Mackenzie-Grieve took part in a competition to complete the first direct transatlantic flight and win a £10,000 prize. Their plane, the Sopwith, was transported six miles from the railway station by Charles Lester’s horses and carts to Andrew Glendinning’s Mount Pearl farm where the team had rented 40 acres for their takeoff. They departed on May 18th, 1919. “After 14 hours and 1050 miles, engine trouble forced them to land at sea” - Field of Flight exhibit. The team were rescued and returned to England safely. To make the aircraft lighter and easier to fly, the wheels were jettisoned shortly after takeoff - one rear wheel from the Sopwith is on display in our museum - come and see it for yourself!
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| Rear View of the Sopwith Clem Scott Digital Collection |
We are located on 365 Old Placentia Road, Mount Pearl, NL and are open to the public from 10am to 4pm Tuesday through Friday. We frequently host a variety of programs for youth groups and have all ages events. To keep an eye out for summer event announcements visit our website at www.admiraltymuseum.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@admiraltymuseum) for more information!
-- Megan Webb
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