In Pictures: Amelia Earhart in Southampton
After Charles Lindbergh's solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927, Amy Guest expressed interest in being the first woman to fly across the ocean. After she decided the trip was too dangerous, Amelia Earhart got the offer.
Amelia landing her Fokker F7 named Friendship on Southampton Water. This was her intended destination, having flown across the Atlantic, but they ran out of fuel so had to stop off in Burry Port (near Llanelli), Wales first.
The team departed Trepassey Harbour, Newfoundland on 17 June 1928, landing in Burry Port 20 hours and 40 minutes later. It took them another two hours to reach Southampton.
Photographers await Amelia as Friendship is towed in. After the press had been referring to aviator Charles Lindbergh as "Lucky Lindy," Amelia was dubbed "Lady Lindy".
Amelia married project co-ordinator, George Putnam, three years later. Said to be intent on retaining her independence, she referred to the marriage as a "partnership" with "dual control."
Amelia coming ashore with crew. Their landmark flight made headlines worldwide because three women had died with the previous year attempting to be the first to fly across the Atlantic.
Amelia surrounded by crowds on her arrival in Woolston, Southampton. The spire of St Mary's church can be seen in the background, which still stands today.
Amelia being greeted by the Mayor of Southampton, Mrs Foster Welch. After landing, she said, "Stultz [her co-pilot] did all the flying. I was just baggage, like a sack of potatoes. Maybe someday I'll try it alone."
Group includes (l to r) Amy Guest (who refused to take the flight herself but sponsored the project instead), Lou Gordon (mechanic), Amelia Earhart, Wilmer Stultz (co-pilot), and Mrs Foster Welch, Mayor of Southampton.
Letter from "Betty" at the South Western Hotel in Southampton who wishes Amelia "heartiest congratulations and heaps of love". The luxury hotel is where Amelia and her crew retired to after landing for interviews.
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