The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
There is little doubt that Newfoundland's unique geographic proximity to Europe (3025 km or 1880 mi) was the primary reason that it frequently functioned as the land and sea base for aviation endeavors and was thus propelled to the forefront of aviation history. In May 1932, Amelia Earhart lifted off to the sound of cheering crowds from Harbour Grace and neighboring towns. Despite the weight of extra fuel, her single Pratt and Whitney Wasp engine enabled her red and gold Lockheed Vega monoplane to lift off with ease, head straight out over the harbour, and fly into the sunset. She landed safely in a cow pasture at Culmore near Londonderry, Northern Ireland, having travelled 2,026 miles in 14 hours and 54 minutes. Although she had not reached her intended destination of Paris, France, she had accomplished her goal of crossing the Atlantic. This earned her the distinction of being the third person in history to make this trip alone and warranted a place in her scrap book of outstanding achievements for being the first woman to fly solo and non-stop across the Atlantic from West to East. She also claimed the honour of being the first woman to fly a plane in Newfoundland. Something to Ponder There's no point in burying a hatchet if you're going to put up a marker on the site.
