Window on the World
by Cheri Randolph
Title
Window on the World
Artist
Cheri Randolph
Medium
Photograph
Description
This photograph was taken on Valentia Island in Ireland very near Telegraph Field where the first Atlantic Cable came across to Europe. It was here, in 1927, that Charles Lindberg flashed his wing numbers so that news could be telegraphed to an anxiously awaiting world that he had successfully crossed the Atlantic.
It was in 1926 that Lindberg began to think about the $25,000 prize offered by Raymond Orteig to the first aviator who flew nonstop between New York and Paris. Finally, with $2,000 of his own money, he enlisted the aid of other St. Louis businessmen, who hesitatingly agreed to raise another $13,000 to buy a new monoplane. Meanwhile, The elusive prize also lured many other veteran pilots. Rene Fonck crashed on takeoff from Roosevelt Field, killing two crew members. Commander Richard E. Byrd was preparing a new Fokker trimotor. Navy pilots Davis and Wooster were readying a Keystone Bomber, and in France, war hero Charles Nungesser was almost ready.
In San Diego, the Ryan Airlines agreed to build him a special Ryan monoplane in 60 days. When it was finished, it was light, sturdy, and powerful. In bold letters was her name, the Spirit of St. Louis, and she performed almost perfectly. Almost before the dope was dry upon her wings, he flew the beautiful monoplane East to Curtiss Field, Long Island, setting records as he came. When he arrived in the East, he was unknown, but his youthful appearance and quiet manners found great appeal. Because he would attempt the flight alone, carrying neither radio nor parachute, so he could carry more fuel, all the world had an eye upon him, and he became known as the “Lone Eagle.”
His flight plan was simple: he would fly the 3,600 mile “great circle” route to Paris non-stop, half of which would take him over the Atlantic Ocean. Lindbergh waited impatiently for a week while spring storms raged over the Atlantic. Suddenly, the weather improved and he completed his final preparations. He hurried to Curtiss Field early in the morning of May 20th, 1927 and had the Spirit of St. Louis towed to adjoining Roosevelt Field, where the gas tanks were filled to the brim. Takeoff conditions were difficult. The runway was soaked with rain. The plane was grossly overloaded with fuel, the engine and propeller were set for maximum economy, not takeoff power, and the cross-wind was brutal. Gingerly, Lindbergh he nursed the Spirit off the ground and into the skies, barely clearing telephone wires as he vanished into the morning mist. It was 7:52 and for the world, time stood still.
By the time Lindbergh reached Cape Cod, the weather was improving. He occupied himself with checking the instruments and the maps on his lap, and began the long flight against what was to be his worst enemy: sleep. During the 12th hour he flew low over St. Johns, Newfoundland, where weather-beaten faces stared up at him in disbelief. At this point the North American continent was behind him and he flew on through more fog into the gathering darkness. During the seemingly endless night he stomped his feet until they ached, he bounced up and down in the seat and he held open his eyelids with his thumbs. As dawn broke, the fog began to break up and he dropped down to within 100 feet of the slate gray waves, then climbed again, his eye hopefully searching the horizon for the first signs of landfall.
Finally, excitement conquered Lindbergh’s desire for sleep when far off to the Northeast he sighted a rough-looking coastline. It was Ireland! Changing course slightly, he come in over Cape Valentia, then headed for England. Two hours later he had crossed the tip of England and was over the Channel. He hit the coast of France at Cherbourg and flew on into the darkness toward Paris and the pages of history. Ahead he saw the light of Paris, and sweeping in, he circled the Eiffel Tower before heading for the floodlit Le Bourget Field. As Lindbergh set the Spirit of St. Louis down on French soil, his tired body slumped. But suddenly, a hysterical, ecstatic crowd broke through the restraining ropes and stampeded toward him, cheering and shouting. As he opened the door, police lifted Lindbergh down and hoisted hime onto their shoulders. They then carried him through the surging crowd, as cries of “Vive” sounded through the night. Lindbergh had conquered the Atlantic alone, covering 3,610 miles in 33.5 hours.
Uploaded
February 12th, 2012
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Viewed 192 Times - Last Visitor from Beverly Hills, CA on 03/08/2024 at 7:12 AM
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Comments (34)
Lingfai Leung
Great capture, Cheri. I love the title for your work as it has double meaning and also captured the moment when Charles Lindbergh finished his flight to Atlantic, sent his telegraph to the world
JOHN TELFER
Cheri, Excellent scenic photo as seen in the Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery promo thread, great details and amazing clarity in this photo. Excellent photo, voted, favorite, google, tweet and FB promoted
Cheri Randolph replied:
John, thanks for your generous compliment, and I also appreciate your great promotional support!
Ann Horn
Wonderful capture of the ancient structure and its view of the sky and landscape beyond. Great composition, Cheri.
Randy Rosenberger
Superb imagery, Cheri! Love the remnant so the stone building and the green, green grass if home, with the water and surf against the rocky shoreline! Love the mountain in the background with the beautiful sky as the background for the entire composition! Love this beauty, Cheri! fave and vote
Cheri Randolph replied:
Randy, thanks for visiting and giving this photo such a nice review! I'm glad that you enjoyed it, and appreciate your F/V.
Carolyn Rosenberger
The contrast of the background against the foreground details and textures is fabulous...and I love that you allowed us to have a peek through the window openings! F/V
Cheri Randolph replied:
Carolyn, so nice of you to visit and post such a favorable critique! Thanks for the F/V!
Danielle Parent
VF ♥ The moss on the structure!
Cheri Randolph replied:
Danielle, Thanks for the generous support of this photo, and your compliment!
Matthias Hauser
The colors, the tonal value, the composition - great work Cheri! Beautiful scenery, one day I have to visit Ireland...
Cheri Randolph replied:
Matthias, thanks for the compliment. I hope that you are able to visit Ireland - the country is beautiful and the people are too.
Cheri Randolph
Nadine & Bob, I greatly appreciate your feature of "Window on the World" in the USA Artist News! Thanks!
Cheri Randolph
Jouko, Many thanks for featuring "Window on the World" in your group, Art from the Past. I greatly appreciate it!
Cheri Randolph
Steve, Thanks for commenting on this one. It is one of my personal favorites, and is rarely noticed here for some reason. I've never sold this one, but have offered it as a donation for several charity auctions, and it has always received competitive bids in the auctions. Appreciate the V/F!