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Creating the first transpacific air route required the construction of bases on islands throughout the Pacific for layovers and refueling stations. To build these bases at Honolulu, Midway, Wake, Guam, and Manila, the 15,000-ton steamer ship North Haven was chartered and docked at Pier 22 in San Francisco. The ship sailed on March 27, 1935, carefully loaded in sequence with two pre-fabricated villages, five air bases, a quarter million gallons of fuel, motor launches, barges, tractors, generators, and fifty- foot timbers to build radio towers. On board were forty-four airline technicians and seventy-four construction engineers. The unloading, particularly at Midway and Wake, was dangerous and difficult. While surveying and construction parties remained on the islands to complete the installations, the North Haven was reloaded in Manila for the return voyage and sailed back through the Golden Gate on June 30th. This hemp helmet includes a signature from famed #PanAm pilot, Captain Ed Musick. Learn more about #PanAm's #ChinaClipper in “China Clipper”, on display, pre-security in the Aviation Museum and Library. The Aviation Museum and Library is open daily, 10am to 4:30pm, except holidays. http://bit.ly/chinaclipper North Haven expedition sun helmet with crew inscriptions 1935 pressed hemp fiber Courtesy of the Milton Champion family L2010.2204.001
This image was posted on June 06, 2016.