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was destroyed by fire, with an estimated loss of $300,000.  Lost also were most of the company records as well as personal records of both Burgess and Curtis. During the design of the NC trans-atlantic flying boats, Burgess recommended the use of hollow spars for the tail booms. He assisted in their design and tests, and they were used on these planes.  Burgess returned to Marblehead after he was released from the Navy Department in 1919, and on December 15h the Burgess Company closed down, awaiting a definite Government policy regarding aviation, and Burgess retired from aviation.

Following this, Burgess returned to the boat business and with Frank C. Paine built the Cup Defender "Yankee" yachts. Boat building was his major interest through 1930, during which time he carried on considerable towing-basin test work, which resulted in the renowned "Rainbow," "Ranger," and "Enterprise" racing yachts. He also developed a fabricated duralumin mast to replace the wooden type. Later he designed and built a 3-wheeled automobile which was exhibited at the Century of Progress at Chicago, but it was not a success. He also carried on some experimental work on U-Boat chasers and various Naval hull developments, using duralumin construction. Later Burgess became a research consultant for Stevens Institute at Hoboken, New Jersey. While there, he passed away on March 19, 1947, at age 68.  He was survived by his wife, a son and three daughters. Burial was in Boston, Massachusetts.

Flying pioneer and airplane manufacturer, William Starling Burgess richly deserves everlasting credit for the major part he played in the development of American aviation history. Early Aero Club of America member, which he joined in October, 1911, he was also one of the founding members of the Aircraft Manufacturers Association. His enthusiastic interest and devotion to the new science at its inception contributed greatly to the early history of aviation.

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