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Photo # NH 77547:  Eugene B. Ely seated in a Curtiss pusher biplane, with Glenn Curtiss standing alongside, 23 Oct. 1910

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Eugene B. Ely, Aviator, (1886-1911)

Eugene B. Ely was born in Davenport, Iowa, on 21 October 1886. In 1904, following graduation from Iowa State University, he moved to San Francisco, California, where he was active in the then-young automobile business as a salesman, chauffeur, mechanic and racing car driver. Ely married Mabel Hall, of Corte Madera, California, in 1907. She was to play a active role in his subsequent aviation career, acting as manager and publicist.

That phase of Ely's life began early in 1910, after he had relocated to Portland, Oregon, to continue his automotive work. There he encountered a Curtiss airplane, rebuilt the primitive machine, and taught himself to fly. Within a few months he had begun making exhibition flights, discovering that to be a financially rewarding use of his talents. Ely and his plane put on shows at Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, in June 1910 and met pioneer aviation entrepreneur Glenn Curtiss in the latter city. Quickly recognizing Ely's abilities, Curtiss took him on as a member of his commercial flying team.

Ely travelled extensively through the eastern United States during the following months, entertaining audiences with aerial exploits. In late October, while participating in an international air meet at Belmont Park, New York, he made contact with Captain Washington I. Chambers, the officer responsible for the Navy's embryonic aviation activities. This meeting resulted in Ely's performance of two pioneering acts of flying, both of immense significance to the future of maritime power: the first shipboard aircraft takeoff and landing.

The first of these events took place on 14 November 1910, in Hampton Roads, Virginia, when Ely took off from a temporary platform erected over the bow of the scout cruiser Birmingham. Two months later, on 18 January 1911, while performing at San Francisco, California, Ely landed his plane on the armored cruiser Pennsylvania, and after a brief visit on board, flew back to shore.

Remaining in the western U.S. during the first part of 1911, Ely continued a heavy schedule of air shows. He also joined the California National Guard, conducted some of the first military aviation flights, and became aviation aid to the state's Governor. In July Ely returned to the eastern part of the Nation, taking part in air exhibitions and races in several places. On 19 October 1911, while flying at Macon, Georgia, his plane crashed and Ely was killed. However, he was survived by his many contributions to the field of aviation, notably including the introduction of aircraft to the seagoing Navy. In 1933 Eugene B. Ely's historic achievements were posthumously recognized by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

This page features selected views concerning Eugene B. Ely and provides links to other images of, and related to, him.

For other photographs concerning Eugene B. Ely, see:

  • Eugene Ely's Flight from USS Birmingham, 14 November 1910; and
  • Eugene Ely's Flight to USS Pennsylvania, 18 January 1911.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 77540

    Eugene B. Ely


    Portrait photograph by J. Ellsworth Gross, Chicago, Illinois. Probably taken in early October 1910, while Ely and other members of the Curtiss aviation team were attending an aviation meet at Chicago.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 58KB; 590 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77598

    Eugene B. Ely


    Portrait photograph by J. Ellsworth Gross, Chicago, Illinois. Probably taken in early October 1910, while Ely and other members of the Curtiss aviation team were attending an aviation meet at Chicago.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 56KB; 570 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 91002

    "America's Famous Aviators"


    Postal card of portrait photographs by J. Ellsworth Gross, Chicago, Illinois, 1910. Featured are Whipple Hall, Eugene B. Ely, J.A.D. McCurdy, Glenn H. Curtiss, J.C. "Bud" Mars, James J. Ward, Charles F. Willard, and two views of Curtiss pusher biplanes in flight. Probably taken during the Chicago aviation meet in early October 1910.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 92KB; 460 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77555

    Eugene B. Ely


    On board USS Roe (Destroyer # 24) on 14 November 1910, shortly after his flight off the deck of USS Birmingham (Scout Cruiser # 2). This was the first airplane takeoff from a warship.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 110KB; 535 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77490

    Eugene B. Ely


    At Columbia, South Carolina, 12 December 1910. He was then participating in an aviation exhibition at that city.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 99KB; 600 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77494

    Eugene B. Ely


    Ready for a flight, with helmet and goggles, circa 1910.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 61KB; 550 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77599

    Eugene B. Ely


    In flying gear, standing by his Curtiss pusher biplane, circa 1911.
    Note the rubber inner tubes worn as a life preserver in case of a forced water landing.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 100KB; 585 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77547

    Eugene B. Ely


    Seated in a Curtiss pusher biplane, with Glenn H. Curtiss standing alongside, during the international air meet at Sheepshead Bay, Long Island, New York, 23 October 1910.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 103KB; 580 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77495

    Eugene B. Ely


    Seated in a Curtiss pusher biplane, ready to take off, 1910.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77491

    Eugene B. Ely


    Seated in a Curtiss pusher biplane, with his wife, Mabel (Hall) Ely standing beside him. Photographed at Birmingham, Alabama, circa 21-22 November 1910.
    Note the airplane's "V-8" water-cooled engine.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77529

    Mabel (Hall) Ely


    Examines a medal that had just been presented to her husband, aviator Eugene B. Ely. Probably photographed at San Francisco, California, soon after Ely's historic 18 January 1911 landing on USS Pennsylvania.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 44377

    Aviators Eugene Ely and Hugh Robinson


    Flying near a U.S. Navy armored cruiser in Elliott Bay, Washington, 1911.
    Photographed by Nowell & Rognon, Seattle, Washington.
    Probably taken on 20 July 1911, with Ely in the upper airplane and Robinson flying low in the floatplane.
    The cruiser is probably USS West Virginia (Armored Cruiser # 5), flagship of the Pacific Fleet.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 59KB; 600 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 77606

    Eugene B. Ely


    A policeman guarding the wreckage of Ely's Curtiss pusher biplane, after his fatal crash at Macon, Georgia, 19 October 1911.

    Photograph from the Eugene B. Ely scrapbooks.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 590 pixels

     

    For other photographs concerning Eugene B. Ely, see:

  • Eugene Ely's Flight from USS Birmingham, 14 November 1910; and
  • Eugene Ely's Flight to USS Pennsylvania, 18 January 1911.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 5 January 2003
    New image added and page rearranged 17 September 2006