Launching Of “America“ (1914)

Title - ’Hammondsport. N.Y. Launching of Rodman Wanamaker’s transatlantic (word cut off at side) “America“. United States of America (USA). MS men pulling a strange-looking aeroplane up a road. Plane is solid-body and looks much heavier than most early aircraft; wings not attached but short stubs stick out on sides; tail narrows to a point with big fin on top. Title: ’Putting engine in body’. The crew position the plane under a sort of scaffolding built next to a shed. Title - ’Left to right Lieutenant J. C. Porte, RN navigator, Katherine Masson, sponsor, Glenn Curtiss, Builder’ MS of the three at christening ceremony. Apparently Wanamaker; a US merchant who was interested in aviation; provided the backing. Funny scene at the christening: First Miss Masson, standing on a little platform, lets go of champagne bottle; which swings on rope and bumps into the aeroplane but doesn’t break. She tries and fails again. So the Lieutenant takes it off the rope and throws it at the plane but it still