Ref. DSCF5386-F0025/6 - http://www.pbase.com/image/19631224
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Original: 35MB TIFF with 24x36 cm at 300 dpi.
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The first flight across the South Atlantic

On March 30th 1922, Sacadura Cabral and Gago Coutinho began the air crossing of the South Atlantic , using a Fairey 400 seaplane called the Lusitânia. On April 18th, after several stops and after a journey of 2,650 miles, the seaplane had an accident when touching down in heavy seas near the rocks of St Peter and St Paul. The result was that the port float was ruptured and the plane sank. The aviators were rescued by the cruiser República , under orders to provide assistance.
The Fairey 16, the second seaplane to be used in the crossing, sent in the meantime from Lisbon, departed from the island of Fernando de Noronha bound for the rocks of S. Pedro and S. Paulo on May 13th, from where it was to recommence the journey to the Brazilian coast. However, engine damage once again forced an emergency touch down which severely damaged the plane. The aviators were rescued by the English steamer Paris City.
A third seaplane, a Fairey 17, showed in this room, was also transported from Lisbon to the island of Fernando de Noronha, from where it left for Brazil on June 3rd. Sacadura Cabral and Gago Coutinho reached Recife on June 5th and Rio de Janeiro on the 17th of that month, having called at São Salvador da Baia, Porto Seguro and Vitória. The Fairey 17 was then named Santa Cruz. Considering the limited range and the fragility of the planes used, as well as the aerial navigation means in use at the time, it is easy to imagine the difficulties experienced by and the audacity of these two pioneers of transatlantic flight when they undertook a journey totalling 4,527 miles in 62 hours and 26 minutes.