Botwood
Botwood's aeronautical origins can be traced to the early 1920s when Australian
aviator, Major F. Sidney Cotton and
his Newfoundland associate, Captain Sydney
Bennett, used the site as a base for airmail and seal spotting services. As Cotton
related to biographer Ralph Barker, Botwood "was sheltered and easy of access,
suitable for both summer and winter." Although Cotton's operation lasted only two
years, Botwood soon developed a reputation among aviators as a practical refueling point.
Among its early visitors were Charles and Anne Lindbergh who arrived in 1933 as part of a
successful west-to-east transatlantic flight.
Charles and Anne Lindbergh at Botwood, 1933
Botwood's development as a principle seaplane terminal originated from a 1935
agreement between Canada, the United Kingdom, the Irish Free State, and Newfoundland.
This agreement (the same one that precipitated construction of Gander airport) called for
cooperation in establishing a regular North Atlantic mail and passenger service using
multi engine flying boats. In August 1935, Major Ivor McClure and Maurice Banks, officials
with the British Department of Civil Aviation, had visited Newfoundland and prepared a
report on potential sites. McClure and Banks recommended Botwood as it was considered
relatively fog free. Conveniently situated on the great circle route, Botwood also boasted
a large sheltered harbour and favourable ice conditions - important considerations when
operating flying boats.
In 1937, flying boats of Imperial Airways and Pan-American Airlines completed a series
of experimental overseas flights via Botwood. The success of this experiment confirmed the
feasibility of transoceanic aviation and by the end of 1939 scheduled mail and passenger
flights were regularly spanning the Atlantic. For the next six years commercial airlines
such as Pan-American, British Overseas Airways Corporation (formerly Imperial), and
American Export, made Botwood a regular stop-over. Botwood was also the site of
meteorological and communication services; established by Canada in 1936-37, they were
transferred to Gander in the winter of 1938-39.
The declaration of war in September 1939 would initiate further change and increased
responsibility for Botwood. Canada had by this date "publicly proclaimed interest in
the defence of Newfoundland." Consequently, on 15 September 1939, Newfoundland
Governor Sir Humphrey Walwyn suggested
to the Dominions Secretary in London that they invite the Canadian Government "to
take over for the duration of the war...Botwood Seaplane Base for the RCAF." London
flatly refused, explaining that in light of Newfoundland's destined role in transatlantic
aviation, relinquishing control of its airports was inadvisable as they "are such an
important factor in our bargaining position vis-a-vis Pan-American and [the] United
States." They did not object, however, to the RCAF making use of facilities if Canada
so requested. Indeed, such a request had been made by Canada earlier in September 1939 and
authorized by Newfoundland. An agreement in April 1941 did eventually see the transfer of
Newfoundland's air bases to Canada for the duration of the war.
Protection of aerial facilities at Botwood and Gander became an issue with the
Canadian Government in the summer of 1940. On 14 June they requested and were granted by
the Newfoundland Government, permission to establish a military force for ground
protection. Canada acted quickly. Before the end of June an army detachment of some nine
hundred troops of Canada's Black Watch had arrived at Botwood (via the S.S. Antonia)
and established battalions at both air bases. Botwood received additional defensive
support with the construction in 1941 of coastal batteries at nearby Phillip's Head and
Wiseman's Cove. The sites' 4.7 and 10 inch guns were manned throughout the war by Coast
Artillery Batteries of the Royal Canadian Artillery, among them the 106th and 107th.
In July 1941, a detachment of Canso aircraft of 116 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron,
RCAF, commenced antisubmarine operations at Botwood. Each year aircraft would arrive in
early summer once the ice in the bay had thawed, and depart in November before winter
freeze-up. The Squadron was permanently withdrawn in June 1944.
116 (BR) Squadron aircraft and personnel at Botwood, October 1943
Wartime Botwood had its share of visiting dignitaries; on at least two occasions Prime
Minister Winston Churchill arrived by flying boat. A visit in May 1943, described in the
RCAF station diary, stated that Churchill delighted everyone by signing their dollar bills
and making "a short but eloquent speech to all the assembled guests." Other
Botwood visitors included Vice Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, General Sir Allen Brooks,
Lord Beaverbrook, Australia's Prime Minister Curtin, New Zealand's General Freyberg, and
actors/entertainers Lieutenant Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Gracie Fields, Edgar Bergan and
"Charlie McCarthy," Edward G. Robinson, Francis Langford, Tony Romano, Jack
Pepper and Bob Hope.
With the onset winter and the hazards it created on the North Atlantic
route, commercial services at Botwood ceased temporarily each fall. The extent of aerial
activity is evidenced in an RCAF recapitulation report for October 1944 indicating a
season total 924 arrivals. By war's end in 1945, air force deactivation at Botwood was
complete and the station occupied primarily by maintenance and security personnel. Later
that year commercial operations were discontinued and land-plane services established
through Gander.