Gatty, Harold, 1903-1957

Aviator, navigator, naturalist, and inventor.

From the description of Papers of Harold Gatty, 1930-1957. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 85185740

Born in Tasmania in 1903. From a young age, was active in researching and pioneering navigation techniques, especially within the arena of aviation. In 1931, he and Wiley Post were the first men to fly around the world in eight days. During World War II, at the request of the American service authorities, he compiled and wrote The Raft Book. Died at the age of 54.

From the description of The Raft book collection 1943. (The Mariners' Museum Library). WorldCat record id: 41937264

Biographical Note

• 1903, Jan. 5: Born, Campbelltown, Tasmania, Australia
• 1915 - 1916 : Attended St. Virgil's College, Hobart, Australia
• 1916 - 1920 : Attended Royal Australian Naval College, Jervis Bay, Australia
• 1920 - 1923 : Apprentice in service on ships of Patrick Steamship Co., Ltd.
• 1923: Officer aboard SS Maheno
• 1924: Officer aboard SS Orowati
• 1925: Married Vera McCulloch
• 1927: Immigrated to the United States
• 1928: Established school of navigation for flyers, Los Angeles, Calif.
• 1930: Attempted with Harold Bromley the first non-stop crossing of the North Pacific
• 1931: Perfected ground-speed and drift indicator for air navigation
• 1931: Flew around the world in eight days (23 June-1 July) with Wiley Post Appointed senior air navigation research engineer, United States Army Air Corps
• 1934 - 1935 : Surveyed and negotiated for bases for airline operations in South Pacific
• 1939 - 1941 : Appointed group captain in the Australian Air Force and director of Allied Air Transport in South Pacific
• 1942 - 1943 : In charge of Air Navigation Research Training, United States Army Air Corps
• 1944: Investigated navigational methodology in the Arctic and Antarctic and published confidential report on the subject for the United States Navy
• 1945 - 1957 : Resided in Fiji Islands where he owned plantations and operated Fiji Airways
• 1957: Died in Fiji Islands

From the guide to the Harold Gatty Papers, 1901-1957, (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)