THE SHIP'S BELL FROM H.M.S. AFRICA (1905) THE FIRST BRITISH SHIP FROM WHICH AN AIRCRAFT WAS FLOWN, 10TH JANUARY, 1912

cast in brass with red-filled lettering inscribed H.M.S. AFRICA and loop suspension (suspension adapted from crown type; clapper later) -- 13 x 12½in. (33 x 32cm.); together with iron bracket for wall suspension

The first powered flight from a ship was achieved by the American Eugene Ely (1886-1911) on 14^th November, 1910. It wasn’t long before the Royal Navy saw the benefit of using planes at sea and began their own experiments. These culminated in success when Lt Charles Samson (1883-1931) climbed into the cockpit of a Gnome-engined Short Improved S.27 pusher seaplane and, on 10th January 1912, took off from H.M.S. Africa (moored in the Medway, Kent) from a runway mounted over her 12in. gun barrels. The aircraft moved quickly down the runway, dipped slightly after leaving it, but then pulled up and climbed easily. Samson circled Africa several times to the cheers of the crew and, after a few minutes, landed safely at an airfield ashore.