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EDWIN K. JAQUITH
Pioneer Curtiss Flying Boat Pilot

Edwin K. Jaquith was born in Chicago, Illinois, October 31, 1893, son of a banker. He attended local grade, high and prep schools and developed an early interest in aviation during the active early days of flying in Chicago.

As a result he worked in the Curtiss factory at Hammondsport, New York, during the summer of 1913, then later that season started taking flying boat instruction at the Curtiss Flying School on Lake Keuka from Francis "Doc" Wildman. Also in the class at that time were Oscar Solbrig, Baxter Adams and J.D. Hill; Reportedly Jaquith soloed on November 15, 1913.

He returned to Hammondsport in the spring of 1914 and took delivery of a new Curtiss flying boat [[strikethrough]] with which he [[/strikethrough]] and began carrying resort passengers at Atlantic City, New Jersey, in early June. On June 21st he and a passenger were thoroughly drenched by a wave that swamped his boat, necessitating being towed in.  He soon developed a thriving passenger and charter business that kept him busy through the summer. On September 21st he flew from Sea Side Park to Atlantic City, 62 miles, in one hour and three minutes, carrying R.F. Patterson.  During the season that year Jaquith carried the renowned Will Rodgers as a passenger. The business was moved to Palm Beach, Florida, that fall for the winter months.

In March, 1915, he flew from Palm Beach to Miami in one hour and fifteen minutes, with a passenger. His operations were moved back to Atlantic City, New Jersey, in the spring for another season of passenger work. In June he had competition when Beryl H. Kendrick of Atlantic City began operating his new Curtiss flying boat carrying passengers at the beach. That season moonlight flights were introduced and later in the year Jaquith was also instructing students. He entered the Curtiss Marine Trophy contest and on September 23rd flew from Atlantic City to the Columbia Yacht Club at 86th Street and the Hudson River, New York City, carrying G.L. Larrabee of Philadelphia as a passenger. On October 26th Jaquith flew his tests for a hydro license on Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, and was granted F.A.I.