Posted on 08/16/2009 5:53:44 AM PDT by nuconvert
OTTAWA (AFP) – Canadian underwater archeologists accidentally discovered what they believe to be the wreck of a US Air Force airplane that sank in the Saint Lawrence seaway in 1942, the Parks Canada divers said Thursday.
The divers said in a statement that they were carrying out routine work in an adjacent area when they came across the wreck. It must still be confirmed that it is indeed the lost plane.
"This is a very significant discovery," Quebec region Minister Christian Paradis said. "This plane is a testament to the collaboration between Canada and the US during the Second World War."
The amphibious aircraft foundered in rough weather on November 2, 1942, in the waters surrounding what is now the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve in the eastern Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
The plane was based at Presqu'Ile, Maine, in the United States, and serviced an airfield in the village of Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Quebec, about 1,000 kilometers (641 miles) northeast of Montreal.
Nine persons were on board when the aircraft went down. Four of the crew escaped the flooding plane and were rescued by local fishermen rowing out from shore in open boats in rough seas.
The five others perished, trapped inside.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
for your list
USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on 18 September 1947.
Presqu’lle? I’ve never seen it spelled that way....
In Maine, it’s known as Presque Isle, a city in Aroostook, County, at the top of the state. Population: just under 10,000.
Good point....it was the U.S. Army Air Corps back in 1942.
The source is AFP - Agence France-Presse
pong
I didn’t see any mention of what kind of plane this may be, probably a bomber or recon type.
Since there were survivors it might still be intact.
According to the War Department, which later became the U.S. Department of Defense, the plane had completed the first leg of a routine flight and was taking off for the return trip to base when it capsized in rough weather in the eastern Gulf of Saint Lawrence on Nov. 2, 1942.
Surviving were: retired Capt. John B. Holmberg, Chicago; Tech. Sgt. George C. Peterson, Welch, La.; Cpl. Robert L. Ashley, Riverside, Calif.; and Pvt. James E. Click, Lexington, Ky.
Missing were: Lt. Col. Harry J. Zimmerman, Bayside, Long Island, N.Y.; Capt. Carney Lee Dowlen, Dallas; Sgt. Charles O. Richardson, Charlevoix, Mich.; Pvt. Erwin G. Austin, Monroe, Maine; and Pvt. Peter J. Cuzins, Cincinnati.
Thanks
PBY-5A Catalina
It was the US Army Air Corps until June 1941 when it became the US Army Air Forces.
Interesting. I never knew that the Army Air Corps owned/operated PBY-5A aircraft. I always considered that an exclusive Navy aircraft.
Bump.
US Navy-operated PBYs were designated OA-10s in AAF service. But is it certain this aircraft was a Catalina?
French-Canadian topic written by a French wire service. They can't help themselves.
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