| DULUTH
ONE |
THE
LARK
OF
DULUTH
The World's
First Airliner
1913-1914
Mankind’s
first inspirations of flight came while watching birds soar into
the blue and white sky. In 1913, one of Duluth’s most honored
citizens, Julius Barnes, entrepreneur, business leader, and
philanthropist, wanted to fly.
"It
was in 1913, before World War I, I brought to Duluth from St.
Louis a biplane flying boat which we christened The Lark of
Duluth. There were no flying fields in the country so a water
surface was necessary and we stationed it at the Boat Club on
Minnesota Point." Julius Barnes, 1954
"The
Lark of Duluth is painted green and is spanned
by 35 feet
of white wings." Duluth News
Tribune, July 4, 1913
As
the president of the Duluth Boat Club, Barnes wanted to introduce
his beloved city to aviation. A celebration of flight was planned.
The
celebration was named The Lark O’ the Lake - Six Weekend
Carnivals - Come for Fun. Air Ship Flights, Band Concerts, Open
Air Dancing, Motor Boat Racing, Rowing Regattas, Canoe Contests,
Sailing Races, Water Baseball, Log Rolling, Comic Water Clowns.
June 27-28, July 4-5, July 11-12, July 18-19, July 25-26, August
1-2. The whole city prepared for a summer season of fun. Posters,
brochures, cartoons, fireworks, and trophies were all part of the
celebration.
"The
Lark of Duluth is painted green and is spanned by 35 feet
of white wings. Under the upper plane, where the world as it
watches may read, is printed the name of the boat, so Duluth will
receive enviable advertising from the flight." Duluth News
Tribune, July 4, 1913
The
hull of the Benoist (BEN-wah) flying boat was made of three
layers of spruce with fabric between each layer. The Roberts
engine and a pusher propeller gave the aircraft a top speed of 64
mph. The wings were of linen stretched over spruce spars. The
engine was placed in the hull and the pusher propeller required a
chain drive.
"With
the ship I brought two instructors from St. Louis to teach Bill
Jones and myself how to fly. You will be interested that after the
first flight and publicity the bank directors advised me not to
fly. I was borrowing large sums for the export grain trade." Julius
Barnes, 1954
Although
Barnes’ dream of flight was thwarted by concerned bankers, he
inspired a whole new economy of aviation by inviting and allowing
others to achieve their goals. Flights were made, weather
permitting, all summer long flying to and from the Spirit Lake
branch of the Boat Club, and up and through the Aerial Lift Bridge
as well as the bridges along St. Louis River.
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