1883-1927 |
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from The Frank Coffyn Collection Courtesy of Empire State Aerosciences Museum. |
via email from Dave Lam, 10-27-06 During WWI he served the French military as pilot of night bombardment and observation aircraft, and was one of the pioneers of aerial photography. After the war he became the Technical Director and Primary Pilot for a French/Canadian aviation company. He died in 1927 in the crash of a Schreck flying boat carrying out aerial surveys (model FBA 21) near Gaspey. As an aside, I have been told he was the grandson of Ferdinand de Lesseps, the builder of the Suez Canal. Dave |
via email from Carl Mills, 7-24-09 I wanted to make contact with you about Count Jacques de Lesseps who is listed on your web. Next year is the 100th anniversary of his flights over both Montreal (2 July 1910) and Toronto(13 July 1910). You web has some great info and photos and links -all very helpful. I have some info that is not mentioned on your site; - Photo with the two women -(see above) After or during the air meet in Toronto in July 1910, the Count was introduced to a wealthy fellow named Mackenzie at one of the exclusive clubs in Toronto. Mackenzie invited the Count to his home where he met Mackenzie's three daughters. The oldest was Grace (22) - the Count was 27. In October, while Mackenzie was away on business, the three girl snuck off to the Belmont, NY air meet to visit with the Count. It was here that the Count took Grace for a flight (25 Oct 1910) and then the two younger sisters- the same day. Grace became the first Canadian woman to fly. They were married the next year. In the photo of the two women and the Count on your web, the woman looking at the camera is very similar to an image of Grace from a wedding photo. OR it could be the two sisters(Kathleen and Ethel) - I'm reasonably certain that the women are of the Mackenzie family and probably at Belmont. The photo is from the Frank Coffyn collection, however, he was also at the Montreal and Toronto air meets. Count De Lesseps body After he disappeared at sea, his body washed up in Newfoundland at a place called Port au Port (Clam Bank Cove) near Stephenville on 5 Dec. 1927. He disappeared on 18 0ct. 1927 with his mechanic and had been missing for 48 days. Port au Port is north-east of Gaspe across the open-waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and about 300 miles (480 kilometers) distance. For some reason he requested that he be buried in Gaspe - I'm not sure how that came about as they had several children - in Toronto. A monument to both aviators was erected in 1932 - haven't seen a photo of this as yet. This information is reasonably accurate. I think that the aviation folks in Montreal are planning a significant celebration of the 100th - I am planning an article which ties in with the Trethewey farm where he flew from at the Toronto air meet. I'm sure that I will find more info as time goes, however, it would be interesting to communicate with the others who have previuosly sent info to your web. regards Carl Mills |
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The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville,Tennessee, June 29, 1910 Transcribed by Bob Davis - 10-16-03 Count DeLesseps made two exhibition ascensions. On his second flight he ascended higher than he has yet done in Canada and in both descended in his usual graceful way. Lachappelle, a member of the Wright team, made good time in speed circles, doing the first lap in two minutes, two seconds." |
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Part of Jacques de Lessep's Ship Found in Gulf." The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville,Tennessee, October 23, 1927 Transcribed by Bob Davis - 10-16-03 The main portion of Lessep's plane was found on the beach at St. Felicits last night. Other parts were found nearby. Officials of the department of land and fisheries said that a study of the parts revealed that the plane must have been traveling at full speed when it struck the water. The wings and the rudder were stripped off the body and were found some distance away. There was hope that the two airmen, after having been forced down by the storm which raged after their departure, were able to reach land inaccessible of approach by regular means of communication. Search parties have been sent up the coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the assumption, airplanes also kept a wide lookout along both banks of the St. Lawrence. The two men took off from Gaspe for Val Brilliant. They carried life preservers." |
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BELMONT NEW YORK - USA "The sensational "Statue of Liberty Race" for the Thomas Fortune Ryan $10,000 prize was won by the Count de Lesseps. Claude Grahame-White beat him home, but was disqualified for fouling the initial pylon." You can also read more about the meet itself, with a listing of the other participants. You can access the page by clicking on the title above. |
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The man who came from the sky Héros de la Première Guerre mondiale, Jacques de Lesseps a marqué les débuts de l'aviation commerciale au Québec. En 1926, il entreprend de réaliser la cartographie aérienne de la Gaspésie. Cette tâche audacieuse déclenche une querelle fédérale-provinciale qui le mènera à une fin tragique. aucun auteur par Jean-Marie Fallu " The man who came from the sky Hero of the First World War, Jacques de Lesseps initiated the beginnings of commercial aviation in Quebec. In 1926, he undertook to carry out the aerial mapping of Gaspésie. This daring task started a federal-provincial quarrel which will carry out it to a fine tragedy. no author by Jean-Marie Fallu Editor's Note: I was alerted to this article by "Louis", to whom I am very grateful. It is written in French, but it is possible to translate it into readable English with the help of the BabelFish program which is available from the AltaVista website. I did produce the machine-translated version of the article and read it with great enthusiasm. It offers a very detailed and fascinating revue of his activities in Canada, including references to his participation in the second international air show ever held in the world in 1910, Montreal being the host, the first having been held in Rheims in 1909. I am trying to contact the author, Jean-Marie Fallu, in the hopes that he will allow me to reproduce a copy of the article on this page, but in the meantime, I heartily recommend that you read the translation by going to the website, copying the address and pasting it into the BabelFish program. |
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via email on March 6, 07 blériot militaire Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue blériot XI (models) blériot XI (models) blériot XI blériot XI (models) |
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and the story on the City of Toronto website, he died in 1927. |
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If you have any more information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper |
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