You are currently in the Archives section. Please be aware that some information and links in the archived page may be outdated.

Click here to return to the Archives' main page to see the list of archived articles.

A R C H I V E S

RECREATING HISTORY

Foynes—The First Landfall In Europe

     On July 5, 1937, veteran Pan American flying boat Captain Harold Gray and a crew of six took off in the S-42B Clipper III across the iceberg-dotted waters of Botwood, Newfoundland, heading east to Foynes, Island and ultimately to Southampton, England.
     Just one day prior to that, the S-42B air had departed her Port Washington, Long Island, New York moorings as the first flight of scheduled service across the Atlantic Ocean was born.
     The onboard consignments of small packages and mail would inaugurate the scheduled era of air cargo and express from the United States to Europe as well.

Margaret O'Shaughnessy, the curator of the museum with the scale model of Foynes port.

     An aircraft launched from UK to America operated by British Imperial Airways (BA) completed the new service offered by America and England.
     Twelve and a half hours after takeoff, Gray, favored by the prevailing winds, landed at Foynes. Gray’s counterpart arrived at Newfoundland two and a half hours later.
     Today, both destinations are no longer airports. Although Foynes handled most Atlantic crossings to and from America until 1945, and even built a big new terminal for what it expected to be a continuation of service post WW II, the conflict had “paved the world” with runways, as flying boats gave way to long-range, four-engine aircraft like the DC-4 and Lockheed Constellation.
     Foynes, the first and last landfall in Europe closed its brief but historic page in aviation history, converting its new flying boat passenger terminal into the town hospital, as the airlines moved up to Shannon Airport.
     But the seven years in the center of the aviation universe still lives in Foynes thanks to a spirited group of towns people including the female visionary of The Flying Boat Museum, Margaret O’Shaughnessy.
     The Foynes Flying Boat Museum is open March 31 to October 31st 10:00-18:00hrs daily.
     Inside artifacts of another time and place in aviation history are carefully kept. But the most significant relic is the entire radio room from the original flying boat airport complete, intact and for all intents and purposes ready to crackle to life at a moment’s notice.
     The radio room is a must-see for anyone who loves early aviation because it is not a reproduction, but the real thing.
     Foynes to aviation also includes an invention that continues to bring joy the world around at this time and any time of year.
     As Ms. O’Shaughnessy proudly tells it, with a twinkle in her eye, at Foynesl, Irish Coffee was introduced to America.
     “It was the winter of 1943 and the flight had left 10 hours before, bound for New York, and had encountered extremely bad weather after 5 hours flying time. The decision to turn around and return to Foynes was taken.
     This was not unusual at the time when headwinds could slow an aircraft down to 30mph. over ground and rather than use precious fuel fighting for every mile forward the machines returned to await more favorable winds.
     “The passengers were brought ashore by launch and were greeted by a cold, miserable and damp night.
     “In search of some comfort they proceeded across to the restaurant in the passenger terminal where Chef Joe Sheridan stood by, waiting to extend the hospitality which Ireland was renowned for.
     “The passengers ordered coffee to combat the damp and misery of the night.
     “The Chef, being a man of good country stock, thought that a little drop of something in the beverage might do them some good. He reached over for the bottle of Irish whiskey and proceeded to liberally dilute the coffee before serving it to the waiting people.
     “There was a hushed silence as cups were raised to lips, seeking the warm brew. The quiet was broken with, “Hey Buddy,” said a surprised American Passenger, “is this Brazilian coffee?”
     “No,” said the Chef, “that’s Irish Coffee.”
     “Fortunately we saved the original recipe which is celebrated every year at our Irish Coffee Festival.
     “We hope to meet and greet people in air cargo and everyone who loves aviation history.
     “We are looking to add collections here as well.”
     But Foynes located on the Shannon estuary is a wonderful place to visit, with theater and quiet places to stay.
     “Everyone is welcome.”
     www.flyingboatmuseum.com.