On 30 March 1937, Captain Edwin C Musick piloted the Pan American Airways flying boat Pan American Clipper into Auckland, surveying a new route for the airline.
Weekly News (Auckland), 7 Apr 1937, pp 46-48
AUCKLAND’S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: THE HUGE AMERICAN FLYING-BOAT MAKES A PERFECT LANDING ON THE WAITEMATA HARBOUR
The Clipper left Pago Pago on Tuesday at 5:03 a.m. (New Zealand time) and as radio messages were sent at frequent intervals from the machine to Auckland, the time of her arrival was known to within a few minutes.
After circling once over the city, the Clipper made a perfect landing at 4:55 p.m., having flown the 1850 miles in 11 hours, 52 minutes.
Just after she made a beautiful landing on the Waitemata Harbour: The Clipper moving along in a smother of foam. Photo: Weekly News
“Coming into her moorings: The Clipper as she appears to those on many of the launches and yachts on the harbour. The Auckland War Memorial Museum is in the distance.” Photo: Weekly News, 7 April 1937
Captain Musick, being greeted with cheers on arrival in Auckland, 30 March 1937. Photo: Weekly News
The reception to Captain Musick and his men: A view of the official dais during the speech by Mr CG Macindoe, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board. Photo: Weekly News
Captain Musick replying to the welcome. Photo: Weekly News
“The day’s responsibilities over, Mr H Gatty (left), the company’s representative in New Zealand, with Captain Musick.” Photo: Weekly News
The crew of the Clipper photographed at San Francisco just before the machine took off. From left: Mssrs Parker, mechanic; WM Holsenbeck, mechanic; R Runnells, wireless operator; V Wright, engineer; H Canaday, navigator; R Briggs, first officer; Captain Edwin C Musick, commander
“Getting their first glimpse of the flying-boat: A snapshot at the landing place.” Photo: Weekly News
“Refueling and checking on Wednesday, when there was a constant stream of people to see the machine.” Photo: Weekly News
Weekly News text and photos: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries
