page_title: Marblehead, Massachusetts
section_title: Shoemaking, aeroplanes and yachting
hierarchical_section_title: Marblehead, Massachusetts / History / Shoemaking, aeroplanes and yachting
caption_attribution_description: Burgess H, the first tractor aeroplane of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, on 21 October 1913. The Burgess H was an early airplane and possibly the first air machine specifically designed and built for military use. Classified as the "Model H military tractor", it was developed and built in 1912 by Burgess Company and Curtis, which in the following year became The Burgess Company. The 1st Aero Squadron of the U.S. Army Signal Corps relocated to North Island, San Diego, California, as a flying training unit on November 28, 1913. Its primary training aircraft were the Wright C (1913–1914) and Burgess H (1913–1915). Original caption: "Burgess tractor of Burgess Co. &amp; Curtis, 100 HP Renault, sold Army Air Service and delivered Oct. 21, 1913."
context_page_description: Marblehead is a coastal New England town in Essex County, Massachusetts. Its population was 19,808 at the 2010 census.
  A town with roots in commercial fishing and yachting, Marblehead was a major shipyard and is often referred to as the birthplace of the American Navy, a title sometimes disputed with nearby Beverly. Marblehead was once the fishing capital of Massachusetts. It is also the origin of Marine Corps Aviation. Three US Navy ships have been named USS Marblehead. A center of recreational boating, it is a popular sailing, kayaking and fishing destination. Several yacht clubs were established here in the late 19th century, which continue to be centers of sailing.
  It is home to the Marblehead Light, Fort Sewall, Little Harbor, Marblehead Neck Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary, Crocker Park, and Devereux Beach. Archibald Willard's famous painting The Spirit of '76 currently resides in Abbot Hall.
context_section_description: During the late 19th century, Marblehead had a short-term industrial boom from shoe-making factories. At the same time, the exceptional harbor attracted yachting by wealthy boat owners, and some yacht clubs established centers there. It would become home to the Boston Yacht Club, Corinthian Yacht Club, Eastern Yacht Club, Marblehead Yacht Club, Dolphin Yacht Club, and the oldest junior yacht club in America, the Pleon Yacht Club.This also caused numerous "summer homes" of wealthy Boston residents to be built on Marblehead Neck. The building boom would cause Marblehead Light to be replaced in 1896 with a new iron structure, since the light of shorter tower was becoming blocked by the large new homes.
  Marblehead was also the site of the Burgess & Curtis Aircraft Factory, where it was the first licensed aircraft manufacturer in the United States. William Starling Burgess designed and flight tested most of the aircraft that were manufactured at the two plant sites in town. On August 20, 1912, Alfred Austell Cunningham became the first Marine aviator, taking off from Marblehead Harbor in a Burgess Model H seaplane given to him by the Burgess Company. His flight was the start of United States Marine Corps Aviation.
caption: Burgess aircraft in Marblehead Harbor
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