Sunk Island
SUNK ISLAND: Early experimental flying site
Location: In near Sunk Island village, about 11nm SE of Hull city centre
Period of operation: In or around 1909 to 1910
I had previously found evidence of the Newington Monoplane, which was built in Hull, being tested in this area. In July 2022 Mr Stewart Would kindly offered additional information, pretty much pinpointing the actual site used. Supported with excerpts from the Hull Daily Mail in 1910.
A STEWART WOULD FIRST GALLERY
Note: These items were published in the Hull Daily Mail. The first on the 10th June 1910, the picture on the 11th May, and the third item on the 30th June.
Note: The fourth and sixth items were also published in the Hull Daily Mail, both on the 30th June.
The first picture is from my Google Earth © derived database. The map is kindly provided by Mr Stewart Would.
DID IT FLY?
We shall probably never know? From the picture the answer is almost certainly - "No". The wing appears mounted with a large degree of angle-of-attack, but lacking in camber - needed to generate lift. But, it seems, it was modified after that picture was taken, possibly with redesigned wings?
This is a fascinating period in UK aviation history, with so many people struggling to get to grips with this new science of aviation. Elsewhere others were already well advanced, especially in France, and the Wright brothers in the USA. In the UK several people had been making 'hops', their machines getting briefly airborne in ground effect - but not flying as such. A flight being defined when an aeroplane climbs out of ground effect and can be exercised in all three axis. Climbing, descending and turning.
The builders and designers had three main problems to overcome. Making efficient wings and control surfaces, having a propeller with sufficient thrust, and last but most certainly not least, an engine powerful enough to get the contraption airborne. When all these three criteria had been met, those brave souls had of course to find out, by trial and error, just how to control their machine in the air.
A STEWART WOULD SECOND GALLERY
These items are a very good illustration of just how much interest surrounded the building of an aeroplane in 1910. Even one only alleged to be capable of flying. At that time very few people in the UK had seen an aeroplane, let alone one actually flying. The items below are all from the Hull Daily Mail, except the final item which is an excerpt from Wings over Yorkshire by Ted Dodsworth, published in 1988 by Hutton Press.
So - there we have it - the story to date. What actually took place between the time the machine was taken to SUNK ISLAND and the storm which wrecked it appears to have been unrecorded. However, although it is said the builders of the craft had been somewhat secretive, surely, if it had become even briefly airborne, they would have been very keen indeed to make this known?
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