A float biplane will take off from the Northshore of Magnuson Park in April, ninety-five years after the four planes took off to fly around the world for the first time in Douglas built planes with Boeing pontoons. Bob Dempster has spent the last twenty years building a replica of the historic biplanes. He plans to fly his plane, called the Seattle II following the same route, averaging the same 72 mph, with his wife as co-pilot. He will, however, have GPS, a radio and parachutes. The Seattle I crashed into a mountain in Alaska and did not complete the flight although the pilot and mechanic walked out safely.

Considered the second most important event in aviation history after the Wright Brother’s flight, this first around the world flight crossed the Pacific Ocean for the first time and was a race against England and Italy for the title. Supported by the Navy and Coast Guard, it was planned for a year by the government at a time when “firsts” were celebrated. 50,000 Seattle citizens greeted the pilot’s arrival home six months later at Sand Point Airfield and a statue was erected that still stands at the park gate.

Bob will leave early on a weekend day in April and we hope you will come out to wave an American Flag and wish him well. The target date is Saturday April 20th but check his website: www.seattleworldcruiser.org for updates. Lynn Ferguson, President Friends of Sand Point Magnuson Historic District www.sandptnavsta.org

Interested in Sand Point's history?

Arrange a historic tour or talk on Sand Point history or 1st Around the World Flight for your group of five or more.

Email: info@sandptnavsta.org

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Photo & Memory Search

Friends is in search of photos taken at, and memories of
NAS Sand Point.

Do you have photos/memories of an event or the buildings/ infrastructure before NAS Sand Point was transformed into Magnuson Park?

We are looking for photos and memories as we try to develop signage and visuals of what it was like as an active base.

What is your Sand Point story/photo? Remember the totem pole, cannon or a special plane, event, a dance in the Officer’s Club, or Santa arriving by helicopter?

If you have photos and/or meories you are willing to share, please send an email to photos@sandptnavsta.org if they have
been digitiized, or you can mail copies to us at:

Friends of Sand Point Magnuson Park
Historic District
PO Box 51194
Seattle, WA 98115-1194