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BERYL H. KENDRICK

Pioneer Sportsman Curtiss Flying Boat Pilot

Beryl H. Kendrick was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, September 9, 1892. Information concerning his early life and education is lacking, but he developed an interest in flying when several aviators made flights at Atlantic city from 1910 through 1913. Curtiss pilot Edwin K. Jaquith brought a Curtiss flying boat there in early June, 1914 and started carrying passengers at the beach. Following this Kendrick soon became determined to own a flying boat and learn to fly it. 

As a result he attended the Curtiss Flying School at North Island, San Diego California, during the winter of 1914-1915 where he took instruction on Curtiss flying boats from Francis "Doc" Wildman.

Kendrick then ordered a Curtiss boat for his own use. It was delivered to him at Atlantic City during early June 1915, where he started carrying passengers. This developed into quite a business, including moonlight trips. He also entered the competition for the Curtiss Marine Trophy, an event carrying an award to the person flying a water craft the greatest distance during ten hours of any one day. On October 4, 1915, he flew his tests for a pilot license in his own Curtiss flying boat and was granted F.A.I. Hydro Certificate No.34.  

Kendrick attempted to win the Curtiss Trophy event on October 11th by flying round trip circuits from Atlantic City to Bay Head, New Jersey. After completing two round trips and starting a third, totaling about 300 miles, he was forced to alight on the water with engine trouble which prevented further flying that day. Well known Frank Mills had been Kendrick's co-pilot-mechanic and assisted in the preparation for this event. Following this first trial Kendrick announced he would make a later attempt to establish a better record. 

On October 28th Kendrick and Mills started again on a flight for the trophy,