We Have Visitors

            December 11 and 12 we were pleased to have Valerie van Heest and husband Jack visit the museum. They operate an organization known as Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates. While their past endeavors have been to locate and possibly salvage shipwrecks around the Great Lakes, they have spent considerable time over the past couple of years attempting to locate wreckage of NWA ship #425. That DC-4, operating as flight 2501 (LGA/MSP/SEA) disappeared over Lake Michigan during a violent thunderstorm June 23/24, 1950.

            “Our goal in locating the remains began as an attempt to solve one of the great unsolved aviation mysteries”, Valerie pointed out, “but since we began about three years ago, I have located over a dozen family members of victims of the crash. Now the search has a more important goal, and that is to offer answers and a measure of closure for the families”.

            By visiting the History Centre they hoped to learn more about conditions that existed fifty-six years ago. While we were able to come up with some material, it was pretty sketchy. Timetables, menus and some pictures from the time period were found. Of somewhat more value was the opportunity to visit with several individuals who had first hand knowledge of the incident. Among our members and volunteers we found pilots who were flying in the vicinity around the time of the accident. Others who were involved in the search for the missing plane and individuals with peripheral knowledge were interviewed. We understand they were also able to have lengthy phone conversations with Joe Kimm, who was the airline’s Chief Pilot at the time and also with Don Nyrop, who prior to becoming President of Northwest Airlines was a member of the Civil Aeronautics Board, the agency then charged with aircraft accident investigation.

            Flight 2501 carried fifty-five passengers and was crewed by Capt. Robert Lind, co-pilot Vern Wolfe and Stewardess Bonnie Ann Feldman. If anyone recalls any of these individuals, or who may have any information regarding the accident, the van Heest’s would appreciate hearing from you. They may be contacted at:

Valerie van Heest, Director, Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates
1134 Goodwood Court -- Holland, MI 49424
(616) 738-9233 or shipwreched@chartermi.net

There also is a website detailing the tragedy for those interested (www.northwestflight2501.org)

A Recent Addition

THE OLD MANILA RESERVATION TABLE

            Reservation tables of this design were used in all Northwest Orient reservation offices. The Manila reservation table was made in 1950 using Philippine hardwood, Marra. This table was originally placed in service at Northwest Orient’s reservation office then located in the historic Manila Hotel and later moved to Northwest Orient’s 1020 Roxas Boulevard location. It remained in use until 1980 when the Manila reservation office was automated.

            During the thirty years of active service, reservations were handled on this table for passengers departing Manila on the following aircraft: DC-4, DC-6B, B-377, L-1049 and DC-7. It was then used as a worktable until its retirement in November 1985.

NOTE: The table was returned to NWA headquarters in early 2006. The Reservation Manager called and asked if we could use it as they had no further use for it and that it took up a lot of space. We accepted and soon learned that Philippine hardwood of this size took three men and a couple of boys to move it.

Belated “Happy Holiday” Wishes !