Our great friend Sunset Parker Javier Hernandez discovered this incredible photograph from Sunset Parks history. I wanted to learn more about this, so I went into the Sunset Parker time machine and set it for just two days before the fourth of july in 1916...here is what happened... When I arrived I headed immediately down 52nd Street to the waterfront....as I walked behind the brand new 2nd battalion naval militia building I was stunned to see over 300 Sunset Parkers crowded along the waterfront. The attraction was a seaplane. Threats of war in Europe caused the U.S. to build a special plane that launches from the water. And here in Sunset Park was a brand new one ready to be launched. Suddenly the crowd got extra excited as a neatly dressed man with a pretty woman on his arm walked out of the naval building. I immediately recognized him as Vincent Astor. I pushed my way thru the crowd and stepped up to my friend in his brown business suit and said Hey Vinnie, Whats up?. Vincent explained that he was a new recruit to the 2nd battalion and was selected to pilot the seaplane (which they referred to as a hydro-aeroplane). He asked me to keep his wife company as he slipped back into the building. He returned minutes later in a spotless white duck naval uniform. He immediately directed the lifting of the plane from the dock to the water. He didnt seem to mind getting his white uniform dirty as he grabbed the oily ropes and helped hoist the plane into position. I then got the only quote of the day from him as he yelled in his robust voice Now, Foster, make sure she doesnt hit the pier there. Once in position he and his wife made their way to the plane and christened it with a bottle of champagne. I wanted to stick around longer, but my time was up and had to head back to the year 2014 - I had pumpkin soup on the stove. (all of the above is accurate from eye witness account, i just had some fun making it more personal)
Posted on: Sat, 01 Nov 2014 20:10:46 +0000
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