The first letter Fred wrote to Helen was from Fortaleza, Brazil, four legs into the
flight from Miami, on June 5. Click on the thumbnails at right to open a full-sized
version in a new window; the transcription is below.
Brazil, June 5, 1937
Dear Helen:
We are well on our way – but I know the most enjoyable part of the flight
is behind us – I cannot express the pleasure I found in the few hours you
so kindly devoted to me. My only regret is that they were so few. I hope
for better luck in the future.
We have enjoyed a pleasant and uneventful trip so far – it was particularly
interesting to me because rather [than] fly the established trade routes
we f[l]ew the most direct routes
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from Carapito, Venezuela to Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana, and from there to
Forteleza.
Those routes took us across hundreds of miles of unexplored dense virgin
jungles. Nothing visible but solid carpets of tree tops, with frequent wide
winding rivers cutting through them. The weather was uniformly good – over
the Orinoco River we encountered a few heavy tropical downpours, but were
able to either circumvent them by flying around the cloud formations,
or going upstairs over them. It was interesting
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because of the lack of recognizable landmarks – a jungle is equally as
devoid of distinguishable markings as an ocean. In consequence, at several
times we had to rely upon celestial navigation to ascertain our position.
We have been treated royally at all our stops. At San Juan Clara Livingston
– a friend of years of both Amelia and I – entertained and slept us at
her ranch. In Caripito our host was the manager of the Standard Oil of Venezuela.
At Paramiribo and in Ceara we used
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Hotel accomodations [sic]– but were besieged with invitations and offers
of hosipatily [sic] – in fact, to date we have been unable to spend a penny.
This morning we went shopping for some sponge rubber and liquid cement for
use on the ship. We finally located it – but the dealer would not accept
payment. He offered it as his contribution to the flight.
We are leaving in the morning for Natal – only two hundred and seventy
miles distant – and will take off from there for Dakar, Africa
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just as soon as weather permits.
I wish to again express my pleasure at having seen you again – and to hope
I shall be equally as fortunate in the not distant future.
Oh yes – while we were in the cockpit waiting to take off from Miami both
Amelia and her husband paid you nice compliments – he said you were a mighty
nice girl – and Amelia said – “Yes, mighty attractive, and beautiful
with it.” I’m glad they could appreciate such obvious facts. Will drop
a line from some place along the route. Kind regards. Fred |