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| Landmark #968 | Alameda County | Visited: May 31, 2014 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | A plaque marking the departure point of the China Clipper and the birthplace of trans-Pacific mail! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Pan American World Airways’ fabled China Clipper (Martin M-130 Flying Boat) left Alameda Marina on November 22, 1935. Under the command of Captain Edwin C. Musick, the flight would reach Manila via Honolulu, Midway, Wake, and Guam. The inauguration of ocean airmail service and commercial airflight across the Pacific was a significant event for both California and the world.
OTHER TIDBITS: Total flight time: 59 hours and 48 minutes (6 days including stopovers)! This aquatic plane was manned by a crew of seven and carried 111,000 letters to the Philippines! There were three Martin M-130 planes built, each significant! The Hawaii Clipper brought the first passengers from California to the Philippines, and the Philippine Clipper brought the first passengers from San Francisco to Hong Kong! However, the first became the namesake, so all of these planes were generally referred to as China Clipper, sort of like what happened with Band-Aid and Kleenex! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Naval Air Station Mall, in front of Building No. 1 Alameda Naval Air Station Alameda, CA 94501 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~373mi (601km) — 6.3hrs |
| When should I go? | The guide says you have to call and make an appointment to see the plaque, but since the Naval Station was decommissioned, you can now visit this plaque any time you wish! |