“Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.” This was a prophetic statement, indeed, by the “Queen of the Skies,” who took to the air, leaving an indelible impression on a Newfoundland coastal community. Amelia Earhart’s prominence has since characterized the town of Harbour Grace.
An “Historic Harbour Grace” welcome sign depicts a ship and a plane representative of a town defined by a prominent pirate and pilot. The latter was a lady who lifted off in her Lockheed Vega from Harbour Grace Airfield on May 20, 1932, for her solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean 90 years ago. Amelia Earhart weathered the journey across the Atlantic in 14 hours and 56 minutes when she landed in a cow pasture in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. “Lady Lindy” (due to her resemblance to the aviator) achieved this on the fifth anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight.
Major Edwin Aldrin, father of Apollo astronaut “Buzz” Aldrin, was responsible for determining the correct fuel mixture for her flights to and from Harbour Grace. The Kansas-born Earhart did not drink coffee or tea, so she stayed alert during long flights by using smelling salts. She also did not drink alcohol, so when she was invited for a dinner engagement with King George V, she toasted him with buttermilk.
Receiving worldwide recognition, this feat became a stepping-stone for her attempt to circle the world five years later. Following this historic flight, she published a book entitled: The Fun of It. Earhart stated that “flying may not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is worth the price.” Two years following her solo flight, Earhart designed a clothing line, which was sold in the renowned Macy’s Department Store.
During Earhart’s career, while she had set several records, promoting equal opportunity for women in aviation was paramount. As an exceedingly humble individual, she asked that any expenses incurred due to public demonstrations in her honour be waived with the funds diverted to unemployed American women.
“Amelia pushed the envelope and advanced both aviation and women in general,” notes Daphne Mercer, Harbour Grace Tourism Coordinator.
For the 75th anniversary (2007), a bronze plaque and a statue honouring the aviatrix can be viewed at Kearney Memorial Park. This was funded by Roger Pike who also donated a 1943 DC-3 plane nearby. Named the Spirit of Harbour Grace, the Douglas Aircraft was formerly utilized by the US Airforce in North Africa during World War II, and then subsequently as a cargo plane. Five years later, in 1988, the plane was retired, and the Pike family generously donated it to the town.
This year marks the 85th anniversary of her disappearance on July 2, 1937, in which she attempted to be the first female pilot to circumnavigate the globe. Earhart had completed more than two-thirds of the journey with her navigator (Fred Noonan) when just a few weeks shy of her 40th birthday they lost contact in the South Pacific Ocean. Many theories surround the disappearance with the possibility of her being financed by the navy in exchange for her reports of suspicious Japanese activity in the Marshall Islands.
Enhanced photographic analysis has indicated evidence of landing gear consistent with her Lockheed Electra protruding from the water off the remote island of Kiribati.
Earhart was befriended by Eleanor Roosevelt, who she intended to teach how to fly. Consequently, FDR (President Roosevelt) deployed 10 ships and 65 planes over a 16-day period in an extensive search, unprecedented by the US Government for a civilian.
“Amelia dared to reach new heights and, like Icarus, fell into the sea, and will always remain a legend,” says Mercer.
It would be another 27 years before a woman would achieve her goal of world flight.
Earhart is honoured in one of the theme rooms at the Conception Bay Museum, occupying a former 1870s Custom House. The Earhart exhibit in the Aviation Room displays replicas of her aviation attire and literature, and photographs illustrate her successful flight from the Harbour Grace Airstrip.
A model and history of the 1,220-metre-long gravel landmark is provided. Pioneering relics from Trans-Atlantic Aircraft and text about pilots utilizing this acclaimed take-off point are among the artifacts identified.
Just down the road along the Historic Water Street District is Harbour Grace Hotel (formerly Archibald’s Hotel) where she stayed. Earhart received a thermos bottle of soup and a can of tomato juice for her flight from the proprietor, Rose Archibald.
In 2009, a biopic featuring the iconic aviatrix was released. Simply titled Amelia, the film stars Hilary Swank and Richard Gere (as her husband, George Putnam). This is the eighth time Earhart has been cinematically immortalized.
A student providing a museum tour admits to us that “many people are aware of Amelia Earhart’s famous solo flight, but don’t realize that it originated in our town.”
Mayor Don Coombs asserts: “We are proud as a town to have Amelia Earhart as part of our history, to be able to walk where she walked and relive her stories with visitors, knowing it all happened here in historic Harbour Grace.”
IF YOU GO:
- Harbour Grace Tourism: www.hrgrace.ca
- Conception Bay Museum: (709)596–5465 Open June to September
- Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism: www.newfoundlandandlabrador.com
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