Alan Ramsay Hawley

ALAN R. HAWLEY Collection of Costyn van Dongen AUGUSTUS POST & ALAN HAWLEY Collection of Costyn van Dongen 9:10 - Gunshot fired; scared us pretty bad for a while. I don't think it was fired maliciously, but it is a poor way to greet a balloonist. 10:41 - Drag rope tore off front fence of cottage. Woman came out and said something; couldn't understand her; didn't particularly want to. 11:00 - Sullivan, at an elevation of 600 feet, drag rope struck roof of Masonic Home. Some one came out and yelled; "This is The Masonic Home 135 miles from St. Louis. By October 23, the results of the Gordon Bennett International Race, which had been started two days earlier, were tentatively known. The St. Louis (United States) - Alan R. Hawley, pilot and Agustus Post, aide, was in fifth place, having traveled 714.500 miles to Westminister, Maryland. GORDON BENNETT BALLOON RACE, On 17 October 17,1910 the fifth Gordon Bennett balloon race had begun at St. Louis with ten starters. Alan R. Hawley and Augustus Post of the Aero Club of America in the America II had vanished into the Canadian wilderness, leaving the world in suspense for a week while they made their way out on foot. Aeronautics had pride of place in the news. Greatest Air Race Ever Known, Rheims, 1913 The failure of the United States to participate again pointed up the slow rate of progress in the country that had defeated the best France had to offer in the first Gordon Bennett. Alan R. Hawley, newly elected president of the Aero Club of America, admitted what was wrong in a blunt statement to the press: "We could not send an American monoplane or biplane over, because none of our machines are half speedy enough." From Blue Ribbon of the Air Editors Note: I was privileged to know Henry during several years before his death. He was an fascinating companion and a lifetime friend of aviation. For the complete story of the Gordon Bennett Race, I invite you to read Henry's book. Alan R. Hawley This article on the Wikipedia website offers a very nice revue of his life and career. It includes sections on his Early life, the Gordon Bennett Race and Other accomplishments. In addition you will find recommendations to External links, for Further reading and References. You can access the page by clicking on the title above. SEES AMERICAN LEAD IN AERONAUTICS SOON This extensive article in the November 26, 1910 edition of the New York Times reveals many details of the state of aviation development and of Hawley's opinion as to the future. You can access the page by clicking on the title above. Highly Recommended Further Reading: CITY OF FLIGHT: The History of Aviation in St. Louis by James J. Horgan The Patrice Press. BLUE RIBBON OF THE AIR The Gordon Bennett Races by Henry Serrano Villard Smithsonian Institution Press