April 4th We received our first Coronado Jx740 a 4 engine FLYING BOAT used for transport not bombing etc. It was the biggest plane we ever brought out of the water for service. Wing Commander Mo Ware flew this on a test flight over the Islands for several hours. I was one of the passenger observers on the flight. It departed for Dartmouth on Apr. 16th PLEASE CONTINUE BY CLICKING PAGE 2 BELOW
The PAN AMERICAN CLIPPER AT IT'S DOCK BEING UNLOADED OF MAIL AND PASSENGERS. 'ON THE RAMP THE R.A.F.FC. CRASH BOAT BEING CLEANED AND INSPECTED'While the Clipper was being serviced they would unload the mail and send it to the CENSORS at the INVERURIE HOTEL in Hamilton AND RUSH IT BACK BEFORE THE PLANE LEFT.
This is a self portrait of me in front of the house we rented across the bay from Hamilton on the water front of GREAT SOUND called DILCOOSHA. We were 5 lonely guys who rented this. We hired a native maid and cook. It was close to the dock where we would embark on a Yatch to take us to Darrell's island each day. There was also a local Ferry Boat for commuters to and from Hamilton and to the Belmont Manor Hotel.
Towing a PBY Catalina At Darrell's Island. From here thePBY'S and PBM'S would fly in winter via the southern route through San Juan Belem Brazil and in summer to Dartmouth ( Halifax) or Gander Lake to Iceland then Greenoch Scotland or Giberalter, to be used in the war against submarines. They had bunks and a Galley aboard. Our first one of these PBM'S JX101sank Near Darrell's Island RAF Base.( PAN AM and BOAC ).The huge CHINA CLIPPERS LANDED AND BIRTHED HERE I would always ride the crash boat during take offs and landings. These flying boats (CATALINA and MARINER) WERE NOT ARMED WHEN BEING FERRIED WHICH WAS ANOTHER 'HAZARD' FOR THE CREWS AS THEY MIGHT BE INTERCEPTED AND SHOT DOWN BY THE GERMANS.----Often in the early morning ( departure time) the sea would be so calm that the flying boats could not lift off the water. They would try and try an porpoise( start rocking up and down like a...
Our first one of these JX101sank (on a training flight to Montreal) beside Darrell's Island on takeoff.The pilot was Wing Commander Ware our base commander An error by a mechanic who left a rear under tail section gunner hatch unbolted and when the ship went to full power for takeoff water surged in and another crew error the bulk head doors were open so the plane started to fill with water. I was on the crash boat and we started counting heads as the crew abandoned ship. I spotted a hand sticking out of the water and directed the boat to it. I dived in with all my clothes and shoes( wallet in pocket) to raise the persons head above water. We got him aboard and rushed to the U.S. Base hospital at the far end of Great Sound. He was the 'RAF COOK' going on leave. He had not inflated his life jacket and could not swim. He died as we could not revive him.'On the 19th OF JULY 1943 LAC...
Leslie Musker whose photo I show on this page became a flight engineer on these planes and ferried them to Africa, India, Iran and thence to Russia. Those which took the southern route passed through Belem Brazil the Azores . This was the main type of air force bomber being ferried to the fronts of world war 2 through Bermuda from Dorval Quebec Canada in 1941-45 via 'Kindley Field'. They also brought in supplies and passengers. They won the war in North AFRICA in 1942/43 by supplying tons of ammunition and spare parts for tanks and aircraft when Rommel pushed the British back and captured TOBRUCK. The supply run is discussed in detail in my Nassau pages. We had a regular 'MILK RUN' as we called our scheduled supply flight twice a week. One of these crashed in down town Montreal on 25th of April 1944 resulting in many deaths. It also caused 24 of these bombers to be grounded in Bermuda...
TOW BOAT AND THE NATIVE CREW (great guys)The first flight of a PBY ,across the ocean , was a harrowing adventure for all involved especially its crew, a typical International collection of servicemen and civilians. The pilot and Captain was Flight Lieutenant J.G. Fleming (RAF)from Coastal Command --(killed in action on 6th of Sept. 1944). Their troubles began 6 hours into the flight. The automatic pilot jammed, the starboard aileron went full down and the machine fell into a spiral dive.Immediately the ailerons began to flutter because of the steep angle at which they were meeting the flow of air. They fell from 20,000 feet to a few hundred feet above the water before gaining control. They had jettisoned everything that was loose to lighten the aircraft even their own bags and personal effects. It was in the dark. When daylight came they could see they had lost both ailerons. The radio...
The PBY Catalina sea planes were ferried across the ocean from Bermuda to Greenock Scotland or to Gibraltar They could fly for over 24 hours with the internal extra gas tanks. If the weather was bad in the middle of the ocean they had a point of' NO RETURN 'at which it was decided to 'GO FOR IT' or return to Bermuda. Many had to return . Some were lost. Some crashed on landing right off Darrell's Island. Capt. Duke C A Schiller one of Canada's Greatest bush pilots was one of the casualties .He departed for The U.K. on the 13th of March, 1943 but had to return because of bad weather They had a crew of 6 ( pilot, copilot, Navigator, 2 Radio operators and Flight engineer.) The co-pilot was ejected on impact and survived losing an arm. The flight engineer ( who sits up under the wing above the body of the plane) was thrown clear still attached to his seat. He was slightly injured. The other...
THE CRASH OF A B24 BOMBER IN DOWNTOWN MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA on the 25th of April 1944. It was on it's way to Bermuda.The flight engineer was a friend as he had been based here in Bermuda for a year after surviving a PBY crash.
Railway Trails: The Bermuda Railway Trails are 21 miles in total, providing a scenic route from East to West. A well maintained trail used by walkers and birders alike. The Railway Trail is a public path that spans Bermuda from St. George's to Somerset. Now walkers and joggers escape congested roads to enjoy spectacular views of the coastline and beautiful blue waters. Also an array of white-roofed houses, and volcanic rock walls covered in vibrant foliage can be among the sights you will see from these trails. Every year around April/May, there is a fundraising Event called 'End-to-End Walk'. Yes, Bermuda is the country that you can WALK end to end. It's taken place partially thru the railway trails. If you ever visit Bermuda while the event is taken place, it's not a bad idea to consider to join. it's a lot of fun, even just for the middle-to-end. It takes about 4-7 hours to finish...
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Q: I would like to hear from an experienced travel or native resident about the cheapest way to keep in touch by phone to the...
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