100 years ago today Hawker and Grieve made the first attempt to fly non stop across the Atlantic. The took of from a field just outside St. John's in their Sopwith Atlantic and ditched off the coast of Britain some 14 hours later having failed to make the crossing. They were presumed to have ben lost and their wives were awarded a pension by the King but folks were overjoyed when they arrived in Britain aboard a steamer that had picked them up. ( not sure what happened with the pensions )

They are largely forgotten in the shadow of Alcock and Brown who made in from St. John's to Clifdon Ireland in June the same year ...but Hawker and Grieve were the first to try


https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/economy/aviation-pioneer-period.php