Hill of Oaks
HILL of OAKS: Originally an airship shed/factory, later civil seaplane base.
See also COCKSHOT POINT and WINDERMERE.
Later still a military seaplane base known as RNAS WINDERMERE
NOTE: In the July 2018 edition of Light Aviation magazine an excellent article by Ian Gee was published - 'Waterbird, putting the record straight'. These pictures were scanned from this article.
Ian had served as a trustee of The Lakes Flying Company for seven years, and the charity has been involved in constructing a replica of the Waterbird at WICKENBY. The original Waterbird had been commissioned by Captain Edward Wakefield and was built by A V Roe & Co based on an Avro-Curtiss design. It was then taken to Lake Windermere and fitted with floats - the first flight on floats being on the 25th November 1911.
The first flight experiments will be made on wheels at WICKENBY, and indeed, when the article was published, short hops up to ten feet had already been accomplished. The sensational news, in my mind at least, is that permission had been granted by the Lake District National Park Authority to fly the Waterbird replica, when fitted with floats, from Lake Windermere.
Sadly, the original Waterbird was destroyed when her hangar collapsed during a storm in March 1912. The most important innovation developed during the trials was the stepped float, which, perhaps needless to say the Americans claim was their idea - developed by Glenn Curtiss. Proof has now emerged that this very important development was first pioneered here.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
Note: The second and fourth items, both pictures, were published in Flight magazine on the 22nd June 1912. The third item was published in the Lakes Herald on the 10th May 1912.
Note: The fifth item was published in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer on the 15th April 1912. The sixth and seventh items were published in the Daily Mirror on the 19th July 1912.
Note: The newspaper article above was published in the Halifax Evening Courier on the 3rd June 1912. The area view is from my Google Earth © derived database.
Note: These first two photographs were published in The Aeroplane on the 1st August 1912. The first photo is of Miss Gertrude Bacon and Mr Stanley Adams.
The second photo is of Mr E W Wakefield. At the helm, but of which aircraft? The third photo is of the Water Hen and her shed. Also published in The Aeroplane, but this time on the 25th July 1912.
A MOST SINGULAR ACCOUNT
This article in four parts, by Miss Gertrude Bacon, was published in The Aeroplane on the 1st August 1912.
What a delight to read. A really good account of both the flying, taking a flight and the joy of doing so, and other aspects that flying off Lake Windimere involved.
Military user: RNAS Seaplane School 1916 to 1917
Operated by: Originally in 1910, by Mr Edward W Wakefield, later by Mr Oscar Gnosspelius. Later still the base for the Lakes Flying Company. I believe the Lakes Flying Company operated from BOWNESS, this also being known as COCKSHOT POINT, but another account most definitely says they operated from HILL of OAKS.
It now seems certain they operated from both sites. I will readily admit to becoming a tad confused about the numerous events taking place on Lake Windermere prior to WW1 especially, but one fact does seem certain - this is the true birthplace of British seaplane flying.
On November 11th 1914 E W Wakefield formerly accepted the offer of £2,550 for the lease of the COCKSHOTT POINT hangar, (with an option of those at HILL of OAKS), from The Northern Aircraft Co.
Flying schools: Lakes School, Melly School 1910 to 1914, Northern Aircraft School 1914 to 1916
Location: On the E side of Lake Windemere, about 3nm from the S end of the lake
Period of operation: 1910 to 1917
NOTES: It is reported that in April 1911, Mr Ronald C Kemp flew the Gnosspelius No.2 several times, with much success. Without too much doubt (?) this would actually have been in 1912? On May 3rd 1912 the ‘Waterhen’ operated by the Lakes Flying Company made her commercial debut. A drawing by Fleming Williams of the ‘Hill of Oaks’ hangars at the seaplane base operated by the Northern Aircraft Company in 1915 does look very much like the seaplane base operated by the Avro Company in 1919 but in fact it seems, they were based at COCKSHOT POINT.
In June 1916 the RNAS HQ had completed it’s move here from COCKSHOT POINT but it seems the flying operation was wound down at the end of this year, eventually terminating in June 1917.
WHY FROM WATER?
Today it might well be wondered why Oscar Gnosspelius persevered with developing a practical seaplane? One answer, perhaps, is that most flying in those days was from an aerodrome. A French term denoting an area within which flying took place. Only the more experienced, brave, foolhardy (?), aviators ventured beyond the aerodrome - engine failure being a primary concern. Clearly, if flying from water could be overcome, the advantages of having an 'aerodrome' the size of Lake Windermere are obvious.
Also of course, as Great Britain is an island, not withstanding its many lakes and some rivers suitable for operating aeroplanes from, the vast quantity of sheltered bays, esturaries and large natural harbours made flying from water a most advantageous prospect. As was soon realised in WW1 and indeed, to beyond WW2 for both military and civil operations. And of course, we must mention Scotland, with such a huge choice of lochs eminently suitable for all types of waterborne aircraft.
HELP, PLEASE
Without any doubt whatsoever the history of flying on Lake Windermere is of great historical importance regarding the development of British aviation. So, needless to say there are many accounts on this subject. If anybody can kindly offer more advice and information, this will be most welcome.
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