1939 Atlantic Ocean Imperial Airways Short Empire flying boat sinking

The Short Empire flying boat, Cavalier, enroute from New York to Bermuda, ditched and sank on 21 January 1939, when she suffered a loss of power and put down onto a heavy sea;subsequently sinking 285 miles south east of New York, with the loss of three lives. Ten survivors were picked up by the tanker Esso Baytown after ten hours in the water.

Accident

The flying boat Cavalier had left Port Washington, Long Island at 10:38 bound for Bermuda. At 12:23 the flying-boat sent the message Running into bad weather. May have to earth. (this referred to earthing the aerial) Flight 30 March 1939 this was followed by another message at 12:27 Still in bad weather. Severe Static. At 12:57 Cavalier broadcast a S.O.S message followed at 12:59 by All engines failing through ice. Altitude 1,500ft. Forced landing in a few minutes. Another message eight minutes later said she was still flying but on two engines, four minutes later came a series of messages to say that she had had come down in the sea, the last message was at 13:13, just a single word Sinking.

Rescue

As soon as it was realised at Port...
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