Norfolk, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

First Flight Ship to Shore

By Kevin W., July 18, 2010

1. First Flight Ship to Shore Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

On 14 November, 1910, Eugene Ely in a Curtiss built "Hudson Flyer," utilizing a specially constructed platform with an uptilt at the end, took off from the cruiser Birminham anchored off Fort Monroe and landed at Willoughby Spit, 2½ miles distant, thus completing the first flight from ship to shore and the first flight to utilize the "Ski Jump" deck. This was the birth of Naval aviation.

Erected 1982 by the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society. (Marker Number KV-1.)

Location. 36° 57.474′ N, 76° 15.979′ W. Marker is in Norfolk, Virginia. Marker can be reached from the intersection of 4th View Street and O'Connor Crescent. At the visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Norfolk VA 23503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. USS Intrepid (CV-11) (approx. 0.4 miles away); Susan Constant Shrine (approx. 0.4 miles away); Flagship Sarah Constant (approx. 0.4 miles away); Operation Torch, 1942 (approx. half a mile away); Landing of Wool and Surrender of Norfolk

By Kevin W., July 18, 2010

2. First Flight Ship to Shore Marker

(approx. half a mile away); Battle, Monitor and Merrimack (approx. 1.4 miles away); Birthplace of Naval Aviation (approx. 1.6 miles away); Naval Aviation Depot, Norfolk (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Norfolk.

Topics. This marker is included in these topic lists: Air & Space • Notable Events

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 21, 2010, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 834 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 21, 2010, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.