Port Washington in Nassau County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
First Commercial Survey Flight Across the Atlantic
Photographed by George Fleckenstein
1. First Commercial Survey Flight Across the Atlantic Marker
To Commemorate the Achievement of the First Commercial Survey Flights made across the North Atlantic jointly by Pan American Airways and Imperial Airways*
*forerunner of British Overseas Airways Corporation
Piloted by Captain Harold E. Gray, the Pan American Sikorsky S-42B Clipper flying boat departed from Port Washington and arrived at Foynes, Ireland, July 9, 1937.
Piloted by Captain Arthur S. Wilcockson, the Imperial Airways Short G Class Flying Boat Caledonia arrived at Port Washington on this date from Foynes.
Thus was Pioneered the beginning of a New Era in Communications between the Peoples of the world.
Erected by the Wings Club, 1969
Erected 1969.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1937.
Location. 40° 49.926′ N, 73° 42.168′ W. Marker is in Port Washington, New York, in Nassau County. It is on Main Street near Covert Street, on the right when traveling south. Located at the end of Port Washington Town Dock. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Washington NY 11050, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the New York City Metropolitan Area and on Long Island. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Port Washington / The Way We Worked / Manhasset BayWalk (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Sites Around Manhasset Bay
this page online
Regarding First Commercial Survey Flight Across the Atlantic. On July 5, 1937, survey flights across the North Atlantic began. Pan Am Clipper III, a Sikorsky S-42, landed at Botwood in the Bay of Exploits in Newfoundland from Port Washington, via Shediac, New Brunswick. The next day Pan Am Clipper III left Botwood for Foynes in County Limerick, Ireland. The same day, a Short Empire C-Class flying boat, the Caledonia, left Foynes for Botwood, and landed July 6, 1937, reaching Montreal on July 8 and New York on July 9.
Also see . . .
1. Pan Am (Wikipedia). (Submitted on April 13, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2025
2. First Commercial Survey Flight Across the Atlantic Marker
The marker is located at the end of North Hempstead's town dock.
2. Imperial Airways (Wikipedia). (Submitted on April 13, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
3. Sikorsky S-42 (Wikipedia). (Submitted on April 13, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
4. Short Empire 'C' Class flying boat (Wikipedia). (Submitted on April 13, 2024, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2025
3. First Commercial Survey Flight Across the Atlantic Marker
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2025
4. First Commercial Survey Flight Across the Atlantic Marker
The marker is located at the end of the pier, in Manhasset Bay.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2024, by George Fleckenstein of Garden City, New York. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 2, 2024, by George Fleckenstein of Garden City, New York. 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 31, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
