This week in Prince George history, July 31-Aug. 6:
Aug. 6, 1920: The four planes of the Alaskan Flying Expedition touched down in Prince George on Aug. 2 as part of a record-setting 4,502-mile journey from New York to Nome, Alaska, The Citizen reported-however the landing didn't go smoothly for two of the planes.
"After some delay at Edmonton caused by the discovery of slight leaks in two of the petrol tanks of the machines engaged in the United States Army flying expedition from New York to Nome, the machines left Edmonton on Sunday (Aug. 1) last and flew to Jasper, making the 200 miles flight in 95 minutes," The Citizen reported. "The machines left Jasper about 9:30 on Monday morning, their progress being reported by telegraph operators along the line as they progressed towards Prince George. Long before the machines arrived the local landing ground was thronged with people."
Three of the planes were spotted coming over the Fraser River at an altitude of approximately 2,000 feet just before 11 a.m., The Citizen reported.
While the first plane landed successfully, the second plane - piloted by Lieut. C.H. Crumrine and carrying mechanic Sgt. James Long -was forced to make a hard turn after landing to prevent overrunning the field, The Citizen reported.
"...(Owing) to the softness of the ground one of the wheels sunk on the sharp turn, throwing the machine on its left wing tip. This broke the king post which controls the aileron and blew out the tire," The Citizen reported.
Crumrine and Long weren't injured and the plane was quickly moved out of the way, allowing the third plane to land.
"The machines were speedily surrounded by a large crowd and it was learned that Capt. St. Clair (Streett), in command of the expedition, had been observed returning to the landing ground at Jasper shortly after the take-off there. The pilot of the machine nearest to him at the time stated that Capt. (Streett's) engine was on fire when he turned to go back," The Citizen added.
News came by telegraph that Streett had left Jasper at 1:30 p.m. By the time his plane was spotted in Prince George, the weather had turned foul and he was forced to make his landing in a thunderstorm with heavy rainfall, The Citizen reported.
"To add to the difficulties of the landing a considerable wind was blowing across the narrow field, making a side-to-wind landing unavoidable," The Citizen reported. "It was apparent that in the poor light and heavy rain the landing was being misjudged. The big machine struck the field over halfway down its length. The landing speed was high... and the machine tore over the... level ground into the uncleared stumpy ground that borders the field."
Fortunately the end of the runway had been kept clear of spectators, and Streett's plane suffered only minor damage: the lower left wing was broken at the leading edge and the left side of the tail was also smashed.
As of Aug. 6, repairs on the two damaged planes were underway and the expedition was expected to depart on the next leg of their journey on Aug. 9. The remaining legs of the trip were planed to be: Prince George to Hazelton, 220 miles; Hazelton to Wrangell, Alaska 210 miles; Wrangell to Whitehorse, 300 miles; Whitehorse to Dawson, Yukon 250 miles; Dawson to Fairbanks, Alaska, 275 miles; Fairbanks to Ruby, Alaska 240 miles; and Ruby to Nome, 300 miles.
After arrived at Nome, the expedition planned to make a 100-mile trip to the Cape of Prince Wales, putting them with 50 miles of Asia.
"All members of the expedition are in high spirits. They are anxious to get the repairs effected and to be underway again. They speak lightly of the difficulties which are encountered along the great route, and tell of the wonderful scenery over which they passed between Jasper and here," The Citizen reported. "The machines flew through the Yellowhead Pass, their route taking them close to Mount Robson, (the) highest peak in the Canadian Rockies."
While the aviators were on their enforced furlough in Prince George, the Ritts-Kifer Hall put on an dance in their honour
The expedition's De Havilland DH-4B planes were single-engine biplanes developed as light bombers during the First World War (then known as the Great War). Each carried a pilot and observer, 117 gallons of fuel, 12 gallons of oil, plus supplies for the crew.
"Their gliding angle is necessarily sharp and they run a considerable distance after touching their wheels. To reduce this landing run, the observers climb out on the tail to the machines to put additional weight on the tailskid," The Citizen reported.
Firstly, The Citizen would like to apologize for incorrectly spelling Capt. Streett's name. The original article in 1920 identified him as Capt. Street.
Streett and his squadron set out from Mitchel Field in New York on July 25, according to Aviation in the U.S. Army 1919-1939 published by the U.S. Air Force Historical Research Centre. The mission of the trip, which was ordered by U.S. Brig. Gen. William Mitchell, was to establish an air route to Alaska and potentially Asia.
Their departure from Prince George was delayed until 8:40 a.m. on Aug. 13, 1920 after Capt. Streett went ahead to Hazelton by train and found the landing field unsuitable.
"Owing to reports of the smallness of the Hazelton field and the difficulties of the approaches there, Capt. (Streett) went on in advance by train and found it impossible as a landing ground," The Aug. 13 edition of The Citizen reported. "He arranged to have a field of grain cut, and this work was finished last night."
They arrived in Hazelton at 12:15 p.m. and all four planes landed successfully in the farmer's field, The Citizen reported. They would eventually reach Nome on Aug. 23 and completed the return trip to New York by Oct. 20 -having flown 8,690 miles.
Streett was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Mackay Trophy for his achievement.
Personally, I think the guys who had to climb out of the tail of the planes during the landings should have gotten the medals.
To explore 100 years of local history yourself, visit the Prince George Citizen archives online at: pgc.cc/PGCarchive. The Prince George Citizen online archives are maintained by the Prince George Public Library.
