HARRY S. HARKNESS -1919

HARRY HARKNESS Photo courtesy of Bill Spink Collins, 4-8-04

 

H.S. Harkness in His Mercedes-Simplex, "Winning Five-Miles Event in 6:1 3-5, Grosse Pointe Track, Detroit." Detroit Publishing Company, copyright 1902. Touring Turn-of-the-Century America: Photographs from the Detroit Publishing Company, 1880-1920, American Memory collections, Library of Congress. Photo courtesy of Paula Powers, 6-30-07

 

WITH THE MAN BIRDS by A. R. Parkhurst, Jr., Daily Journal and Tribune, Knoxville, Tennessee: July 10, 1910, Transcribed by Bob Davis - 9-25-03       "The aeroplane has taken such a firm hold on the people of this country that many wealthy men and women are going for the sport in earnest. Miss Elizabeth L. Todd has entered the lists as a competitor in several long-distance flights and she has her mechanicians at work in her aerodrome at Hempstead Plains on three machines she designed. She has made several flights and has learned to manipulate her planes and her engines in masterly style." "Anthony C. Drexel, son of the millionaire banker, is another to take up the sport and he has made several successful trips aloft. He, too, will join in some of the many races in the air in the near future."       In tracing various events of the aviators of the world in the past year or so it might well to begin with Bleriot and his English Channel flight. This up to that time - July 25, 1909 - was by all odds the most spectacular. This feat was duplicated by Jacques de Lesseps, a grandson of Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, builder of the Suez Canal. De Lesseps, however, came to grief and several times he fell into the channel and but for the assistance of boatmen he would not be living today to boast of his performance." and "Those who have signified their intention of entering the endurance flights are Captain Rolls and Count Jacques de Lesseps. Both are now in Montreal, having crossed the ocean to compete in flights on this side of the Atlantic. Hamilton, M. J. Seymour and Capt.Thomas S. Baldwin, Clifford B. Harmon, Harry S. Harkness and Glenn Curtiss will also be among the flyers at this meet." Bob Davis

 

"Aviator Harkness Has a Close Call" Knoxville Daily Journal and Tribune, Knoxville, Tennessee: September 16, 1910. Transcribed by Bob Davis - 3-18-07 "New York, Sept. 15. - Harry S. Harkness, the aviator of Cleveland, and member of a prominent family in that city, had a narrow escape today when the monoplane in which he was flying at the aerodrome in Garden City, L.I., dived suddenly to the ground from a height of 25 feet. Harkness' machine was demolished but he fortunately escaped injury. This was Harkness' first flight in America."

 

CHAPTER 4   HARRY HARKNESS FINANCES CHARLIE WALSH      The Charles Walsh family was at the Playa Del Rey Motordrome Meet, 1910 and not coincidentally met a wealthy New York businessman/sportsman, Harry Harkness. Harkness had interests in California, and had recently formed the Aero Club of San Diego and was sponsoring an aviation venture on the Spreckles North Island flatlands along with Glenn Curtiss. He planned to build hangars and workshops to build and repair aeroplanes and turn the unwanted island into a permanent airfield for all those interested in aviation. Harkness had already purchased two Antoinette monoplanes and wanted a lightweight biplane to try out a new and unusual rotary engine. He had kept tabs on Walsh's ability and offered him $5,000 to build the airplane. from Charles Walsh, Chapter 4

CHAPTER 6   CHARLIE FAILS FLYING TESTS      On April 19, 1911, Walsh made two attempts to pass his flying tests for an aviator's license but failed. The Macomber engine began to act up. An inspection revealed that it needed extensive work, Harkness was notified and underwrote any overhaul charges that might incur. The engine was returned to the factory and Charlie began work on a second Silver Dart. This machine would be for his own use. It had more than proven itself as a safe and sturdy flying machine. The old problem of a reliable engine was again present. He didn't want a tempermental Macomber that needed constant attention and weekly overhaul. Friends urged him to look into a new aeroplane engine being developed in San Francisco by a firm call Hall-Scott. Charlie did and the literature from them was quite impressive. I promised an honest 40 hp with their 4 cylinder inline water-cooled Model A "aeronautical motor." Charlie ordered the first production Hall-Scott engine and subsequently installed it in the second Silver Dart.      In the meantime the Macomber engine was returned and Walsh proceeded to make acceptance flights before John Kiley, who represented the Harkness in Los Angeles. It was accepted and shipped to North Island in the latter part of April 1911. For goodwill and publicity purposes, Harkness turned the plane over to Kiley, little more has been uncovered regarding this plane except that Harkness seemed pleased with it and the Macomber engine. It was flown quite often from the San Diego Aero Club Camp. In later 1912, the Walsh's were in New York and they visited the Mineola Flying Field on Long Island, Alice, always nosing around, spotted a tent with a sign on it "No Trespassing." She couldn't resist peeking inside; her eyes bulged as she screamed for Charlie to have a look. No mistake, it was the Harkness Silver Dart. They could not find out any more about it, however, and never heard of it, or saw it again.   CHARLIE BECOMES SOLVENT      Harry Harkness paid in full for the Silver Dart and the Walsh's finally had adequate working funds. Charlie repaid the $1,000 he had borrowed from his father, and sent a check in for the Hall-Scott engine. The second Silver Dart was ready for flight and they still had a few hundred dollars in the bank. The only money in aviation during those days was in exhibition flying and demonstrations of the airplane. Charlie was planning such a future when a representative fo the Pacific Aviation Company of Portland, Oregon approached him to fly for them. They had exhibition dates lined up all over the West. Thousands of people would come to see Walsh the Daring Birdman defy gravity. If he would sign the contract, he would be guaranteed a high percentage of all gate receipts. They painted a pretty picture, too pretty, Charlie looked it over and signed. He was now a Professional Exhibition Aviator, the star of the show. By May 1, 1911, he was launched on a new and even more exciting career. Charlie Walsh's days with the Manning group, having his plane stolen and then becoming a member of the Curtiss Exhibition Team to form a two man stunt with Lincoln Beachey will be presented next. from Charles Walsh, Chapter 6

 

HARRY'S STEINWAY 1918 Steinway Model B Artcase Piano       One of the most expensive pianos in the world, then and now. Truly a one of a kind design, exclusively handcrafted for Harry S. Harkness by the premiere furniture manufacturer of the 20th Century Schmieg/Hungate/Kotzian in New York. If you want to know more about this beautiful instrument, click on the title above.

 

ONLINE RESOURCES      If you search for "Harry S. Harkness" using the Google search engine, (4-5-04), you will find about 12 links, seven of them clearly relevant..

HARKNESS ANTOINETTE MONOPLANES      This page on The Journal of San Diego History website offers a beautiful picture of two of his aeroplanes, along with three Curtiss biplanes on North Island in 1911. The caption includes the report:      "On February 7, Harry Harkness made history by flying twenty-one miles to the Mexican border."      On the same page you will find 37! other photographs, all of which were selected from the article, The Only Safe and Sane Method...The Curtiss School of Aviation , which is found in The Journal of San Diego History, Winter 1979, Volume 25, Number 1. You can access the page by clicking on the title above.

 

Harry Harkness (left) and Everard Thompson Photo courtesy of Bill Spink Collins, 4-8-04

SHEEPSHEAD BAY SPEEDWAY      This page tells the very interesting story of the Sheepshead Bay Speedway in Brooklyn, New York, 1915-1919. In 1916, Harry was listed among the Officers as the President and Everard Thompson as Vice-President and General Manager. You can access the page by clicking on the title above.      The photograph above was provided by Bill Spink Collins, whose grandfather, Al Spink, Jr., collected them when he was an official at the speedway. Bill is looking for information about Al Spink Jr., and about Al Spink Sr., Bill's great-grandfather. Bill can be contacted at: uncabill@gwi.net

 

Harry S. Harkness Dies of Influenza Owner of the Sheepshead Bay Speedway Was Son of Late Standard Oil Man, Yachtsman and Aviator, He Sued the Government for $401,250 for Loss of Wakiva II., Said to Have Sunk Submarines THE NEW YORK TIMES, FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1919 Transcribed by Bob Davis - 7-24-09 Harry S. Harkness, only son of the late Lamon V. Harkness, one of the biggest stockholders in the Standard Oil Company, from whom he inherited a large fortune, died last night at his home, 270 Park Avenue, of influenza. He was 38 years old. Mr. Harkness was President of the Harkness Estates, Inc., and was owner of the Sheepshead Bay Speedway. He was President of the Sheepshead Bay Corporation from its organization until 1916, when he resigned, and on May 2, 1917, he bought the property under a foreclosure sale for $1,300,000. Harry Harkness formerly owned the U. S. S. Yacht Wakiva II., which was sunk in European waters in May of last year in a collision with a navy cargo carrier. It was said last night that the yacht had sunk three German submarines. In February of last year, Mr. Harkness filed suit in the United States Court of Claims, Washington, for $401,250, which he asserted was the difference between the real and appraised value of his yacht, which was taken over by the Navy Department. The Government appraised the vessel at $265,000, of which amount Mr. Harkness accepted 75 per cent, in part payment and then entered suit for the remaining $401,250, which he claimed should have been paid. The vessel was appraised four times by the Government before the price was fixed. Mr. Harkness was the holder of many automobile records and was also an amateur aviator of note. In September, 1910, he had a narrow escape from death when his Antionette monoplane crashed to the ground with him at the Mineola Aviation field. Mr. Harkness was elected President of the National Speedway Association in 1916. In September of last year Mr. Harkness, who was then living at the Hotel St. Regis, was sworn in as a Colonel in the Police Reserves, and served on the staff of Special Deputy Police Commissioner Rodman Wanamaker. With his sisters, Mrs. Myrtle Macomber and Mrs. Lela Edwards, Mr. Harkness inherited a large share of the $150,000,000 estate left by his father. Mr. Harkness was twice married. His first wife, Misa Marie M. Marbeck, he married in 1906 and divorced in 1916. His second wife, who survives, was Mrs. Florence Steuber Gaines of Erle, Penn., a daughter of Louis Steuber, a shipbuilder. She divorced her first husband only a short time before her marriage to Mr. Harkness. Died - Harkness, - Harry S., aged 38, beloved husband of Florence S. Harkness and only son of the late L.V. Harkness, at his residence, 270 Park Ave., at 7:45 P.M., Jan. 23, 1919, at 11 o'clock. Notice of funeral hereafter.

 

Editor's Note: If you have any more information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper

 

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