Lake Windermere flying sites
LAKE WINDERMERE see also COCKSHOT POINT
LAKE WINDERMERE see also HILL of OAKS
WINDERMERE see also RIVERSIDE FARM
LAKE WINDERMERE see also WHITE CROSS BAY
LAKE WINDERMERE: Civil water ‘aerodrome’
Location: Near Cockshot Point, abeam Belle Isle
NOTES:
I have found the history of early flying on Lake Windermere really quite difficult to unravel. I do hope I now have the circumstances pretty much sorted out but will very much welcome any advice by those with more knowledge.
The first British barely successful flight attempt from water, later a fully successful flight was made here. And, a little later on Saturday 25th November 1911 Oscar Gnosspelius eventually succeeded in overcoming all the substantial problems regarding aircraft operations from water. Lifting off he immediately lost control and crashed….but without injury! But at least his aircraft, the Gnosspelius No.2 did lift off and knowing that serious crashes were inevitable, several people considered water to be much safer to crash in.
Consequently, as well as Gnosspelius, Capt Edward William Wakefield was also based on Lake Windemere at HILL OF OAKS (see seperate entry) employing Herbert Stanley Adams as the pilot of his machine. This very same day, apparently unaware of the ill-fated attempt by Oscar Gnosspelius Mr Adams succeeded in making a fully controlled flight, in fact several flights were later made that same day.
It seems such a great shame that Wakefield wasn’t there to witness this historic occasion after all his effort and investment. Seeing that conditions were nigh on perfect Adams seized the opportunity and failed on the first attempt. However, with a “gentle wind” now blowing, Wakefield’s Avro-Curtiss eventually, after about a half-mile run, took to the air.
THE LAKES FLYING COMPANY
Wakefield and Adams later formed The Lakes Flying Company, based on Lake Windermere in December 1911 with Gnosspelius as their engineer. For a full and detailed history see the excellent IN THE SHADOW OF THE EAGLE’S WING by Peter Connon - if you can find a copy.
I have found a record for the granting on 12/11/12 of a Pilot Certificate No.360 to Frank William Lerwill flying what is described as being a Hydro-Aeroplane. Did this become the RNAS training school listed below during WW1?
NOTABLE SEAPLANE FLIGHTS
Just for the record it appears the first seaplane flight was on the 28th March 1910. This was by the French pilot Henri Fabre flying from l’Etang de Berre in France. On the 26th January 1911 the famous American pilot Glenn Curtiss flew a seaplane from San Diego harbour in the U.S.A.
LAKE WINDERMERE: Civil water ‘aerodrome’ (also known as HILL of OAKS - see separate entry)
Operated by: Northern Aircraft Company (Previously the business of the Lakes Flying Company)
NOTES: In 1915 the Northern Aircraft Company were offering, for £75, a course of flying instruction, “and all risks”, until the pupil obtained his, (notice the “his”), RAeC Certificate. For military or naval officers the fee was reduced to £52.10s.0d when starting training, with a £17.10s.0d supplement on completion. Extra practise could be had at £9 for the first hour and £6 for each subsequent hour. What would these sums of money equate to today?
Passenger flights were still available at three guineas, (£3.3s.0d) for a flight on a Lakes Monoplane, or two guineas, (£2.2s.0d), for the ‘Waterhen’. Referred to as ‘first’ or ‘second’ class flights. Much was made, to prospective passengers, of the fact that the General Manager and Chief Pilot, William Rowland Ding, was the first British aviator to fly with Royalty on board. This must have been a huge selling point in those days, having a huge amount of ‘street-cred’.
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