Boarding the flying boat: a Dinner Key memory

It is December 1944. Her husband’s work has called them away from home and friends for a prolonged stay in a foreign land with their young family. The car cuts through the soft night air of Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood, heading towards Pan American Airways’ Dinner Key marine terminal. Soon they will be boarding the China Clipper, the Martin M-130 Flying Boat famous for making the first non-stop trans-Pacific crossing in 1935.

Written by Grace Strelow Toomey, age 29:

“….One more curve and then the airport. The children were waking now as the car came to a stop at the Terminal door–Gail whimpering a bit, Debby intrigued by seldom seen night lights. A short wait in the Terminal, last time farewells as the announcement came over the loud speakers, “Southbound passengers for Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Belem and Rio de Janeiro now loading at Gate __. …”

Down the long covered ramp, out into the night, up the gangplank, into the big seaplane. The water lapped rhythmically at the sides. We pressed our faces to the portholes, the children now wide awake. We watched the familiar figures on shore grow dim as we slowly began to taxi.

Out, out into Biscayne Bay–into the night–the black water.

Finally came the mighty stepped-up roar of the motors and then-full speed ahead! ‘Dear God,’ I prayed sincerely, ‘Dear God, grant us health and happiness in our new home….’

…..

The hour had arrived. Full speed ahead-then up up up into the night, with the lights of Miami bright jewels below. The nose turns southward, the lights disappear. Now there’s only moon, sea, and stars. Debby settles down in my arms and is soon asleep; Gail sits with her Daddy-restless and squeamish. I just sit, until the plane finally passes the night and overtakes the dawn.

Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye—————————————“