A History of United States Naval Aviation

The Navy first investigated the possibilities of aviation for naval purposes in 1908when Lieut. G. C. Sweet and Naval Constructor McIntee were detailed as observers forthe test of the Wright plane at Fort Myer, Va. Lieutenant Sweet endeavored to stimulateinterest in the subject of aviation and suggested the use of pontoons in this report to theNavy Department, but no action was taken thereon. In 1910, Capt. W. I. Chambers,United States Navy, who was assistant to the aid for material in the Bureau of Equipmentattended the aviation meets at Belmont Park, N.Y., and at Halethorpe, near Baltimore, asan official observer. Appreciating the potential value of the airplane in naval warfare,Captain Chambers endeavored to interest the Wright Co. In arranging for a flight off of aUnited States man-of-war. Wilbur Wright declined to make the attempt. The Curtiss Co.was then approached and they agreed to try it. The necessary arrangements werethereupon made by Captain Chambers and on November 14, 1910, the Curtissrepresentative, Eugene Ely, successfully flew a 50-horsepower Curtiss land-plane from aplatform hastily built on the bow of the U. S. S. Birmingham at Hampton Roads, Va.