THE BREMEN. by Hotson, Fred W - 1988

Toronto: CANAV, 1988. 224 pp, large 8vo (9 1/4" H). B&w photographs, maps. "The flight of the German airplane 'Bremen' from Europe to North America in 1928 was one of the milestones of aviation history. No one had flown the Atlantic in that direction and the risks were high - seven people had died in the attempt. When two Germans and an Irishman left Ireland in the 'Bremen' for New York, there were predictions of a similar fate, and when nothing was heard after 40 hours, the newspapers began preparing obituaries for the gallant crew. Suddenly a message was relayed from a remote Canadian radio station: the aircraft had force-landed on an ice-bound island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence - and the race was on to reach the stranded flyers. The 'Bremen' story is an exciting drama of courage, humour and tragedy. All sorts of people found themselves drawn to the event, from the lighthouse keeper and his family, who watched in amazement as the aircraft landed almost at their front door, to presidents and prime ministers. There were the bush pilots who were first to reach the flyers, the mechanics who tried to repair the 'Bremen', ruthless reporters competing for a scoop, and Lindbergh making a mercy flight in an attempt to save the life of pilot Floyd Bennett. Small wonder an enthusiastic journalist of those aviation-mad day called the 'Bremen' episode, 'the greatest news story of all time'." Minor wrinkling at top/bottom of spine. Dust jacket has minor rubbing, minor edge wrinkling. . First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Near Fine.