1919 HANDLEY PAGE CRASH POSTCARD For Sale

The crew of the Handley Page ‘Atlantic’ consisted of Adm. Mark Kerr as second pilot and publicity officer; Major Herbert Brackley, first pilot; Major Trygve Gran as navigator and stand-by pilot; Frederick Wyatt as wireless operator; and mechanics A.P. Arnold and C.C. Clements (rigger). With this 6-man crew, the ‘Atlantic’ left Harbour Grace at 5:55 p.m. on July 4th, 1919. By midnight, the starboard front engine was overheating, and at 2:05 a.m., a connecting rod went through the crank case. At 2:15 a.m., losing oil and running on 3 engines, they spotted the lights of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. The decision was made to circle the area in search of a landing site.

As dawn was breaking at 5:50 a.m. on July 5th, 1919, they chose to land on the open field of the Parrsboro race track. While attempting to land, the wheels of the plane caught wire fences, struck rough ground, and tipped on her nose. All 6 crew members escaped without any serious injuries.