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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Eugene B. Ely, Aviator, (1886-1911)
Eugene B. Ely was born in Davenport, Iowa, on 21 October 1886.
In 1904, following graduation from Iowa State University, he moved
to San Francisco, California, where he was active in the then-young
automobile business as a salesman, chauffeur, mechanic and racing
car driver. Ely married Mabel Hall, of Corte Madera, California,
in 1907. She was to play a active role in his subsequent aviation
career, acting as manager and publicist.
That phase of Ely's life began early in 1910, after he had
relocated to Portland, Oregon, to continue his automotive work.
There he encountered a Curtiss airplane, rebuilt the primitive
machine, and taught himself to fly. Within a few months he had
begun making exhibition flights, discovering that to be a financially
rewarding use of his talents. Ely and his plane put on shows at
Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, in June 1910 and
met pioneer aviation entrepreneur Glenn Curtiss in the latter
city. Quickly recognizing Ely's abilities, Curtiss took him on
as a member of his commercial flying team.
Ely travelled extensively through the eastern United States
during the following months, entertaining audiences with aerial
exploits. In late October, while participating in an international
air meet at Belmont Park, New York, he made contact with Captain
Washington I. Chambers, the officer responsible for the Navy's
embryonic aviation activities. This meeting resulted in Ely's
performance of two pioneering acts of flying, both of immense
significance to the future of maritime power: the first shipboard
aircraft takeoff and landing.
The first of these events took place on 14
November 1910, in Hampton Roads, Virginia, when Ely took off
from a temporary platform erected over the bow of the scout cruiser
Birmingham.
Two months later, on 18
January 1911, while performing at San Francisco, California,
Ely landed his plane on the armored cruiser Pennsylvania,
and after a brief visit on board, flew back to shore.
Remaining in the western U.S. during the first part of 1911,
Ely continued a heavy schedule of air shows. He also joined the
California National Guard, conducted some of the first military
aviation flights, and became aviation aid to the state's Governor.
In July Ely returned to the eastern part of the Nation, taking
part in air exhibitions and races in several places. On 19 October
1911, while flying at Macon, Georgia, his plane crashed and Ely
was killed. However, he was survived by his many contributions
to the field of aviation, notably including the introduction of
aircraft to the seagoing Navy. In 1933 Eugene B. Ely's historic
achievements were posthumously recognized by the award of the
Distinguished Flying Cross.
This page features selected views concerning Eugene B. Ely
and provides links to other images of, and related to, him.
For other photographs concerning Eugene B. Ely, see:
Eugene
Ely's Flight from USS Birmingham, 14 November 1910;
and
Eugene
Ely's Flight to USS Pennsylvania, 18 January 1911.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 77540
Eugene B. Ely
Portrait photograph by J. Ellsworth Gross, Chicago, Illinois.
Probably taken in early October 1910, while Ely and other members
of the Curtiss aviation team were attending an aviation meet
at Chicago.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 58KB; 590 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77598
Eugene B. Ely
Portrait photograph by J. Ellsworth Gross, Chicago, Illinois.
Probably taken in early October 1910, while Ely and other members
of the Curtiss aviation team were attending an aviation meet
at Chicago.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 56KB; 570 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 91002
"America's Famous Aviators"
Postal card of portrait photographs by J. Ellsworth Gross, Chicago,
Illinois, 1910. Featured are Whipple Hall, Eugene B. Ely, J.A.D.
McCurdy, Glenn H. Curtiss, J.C. "Bud" Mars, James J.
Ward, Charles F. Willard, and two views of Curtiss pusher biplanes
in flight. Probably taken during the Chicago aviation meet in
early October 1910.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 92KB; 460 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77555
Eugene B. Ely
On board USS Roe (Destroyer # 24) on 14 November 1910,
shortly after his flight off the deck of USS Birmingham
(Scout Cruiser # 2). This was the first airplane takeoff from
a warship.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 110KB; 535 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77490
Eugene B. Ely
At Columbia, South Carolina, 12 December 1910. He was then participating
in an aviation exhibition at that city.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 99KB; 600 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77494
Eugene B. Ely
Ready for a flight, with helmet and goggles, circa 1910.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 61KB; 550 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77599
Eugene B. Ely
In flying gear, standing by his Curtiss pusher biplane, circa
1911.
Note the rubber inner tubes worn as a life preserver in case
of a forced water landing.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 100KB; 585 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77547
Eugene B. Ely
Seated in a Curtiss pusher biplane, with Glenn H. Curtiss standing
alongside, during the international air meet at Sheepshead Bay,
Long Island, New York, 23 October 1910.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 103KB; 580 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77495
Eugene B. Ely
Seated in a Curtiss pusher biplane, ready to take off, 1910.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 595 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77491
Eugene B. Ely
Seated in a Curtiss pusher biplane, with his wife, Mabel (Hall)
Ely standing beside him. Photographed at Birmingham, Alabama,
circa 21-22 November 1910.
Note the airplane's "V-8" water-cooled engine.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 605 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77529
Mabel (Hall) Ely
Examines a medal that had just been presented to her husband,
aviator Eugene B. Ely. Probably photographed at San Francisco,
California, soon after Ely's historic 18 January 1911 landing
on USS Pennsylvania.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 600 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 44377
Aviators Eugene Ely and Hugh Robinson
Flying near a U.S. Navy armored cruiser in Elliott Bay, Washington,
1911.
Photographed by Nowell & Rognon, Seattle, Washington.
Probably taken on 20 July 1911, with Ely in the upper airplane
and Robinson flying low in the floatplane.
The cruiser is probably USS West Virginia (Armored Cruiser
# 5), flagship of the Pacific Fleet.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 59KB; 600 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 77606
Eugene B. Ely
A policeman guarding the wreckage of Ely's Curtiss pusher biplane,
after his fatal crash at Macon, Georgia, 19 October 1911.
Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 590 pixels |
 |
For other photographs concerning Eugene B. Ely, see:
Eugene
Ely's Flight from USS Birmingham, 14 November 1910;
and
Eugene
Ely's Flight to USS Pennsylvania, 18 January 1911.
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Historical Center home page.
Page made 5 January 2003
New image added and page rearranged 17 September 2006