Thursday, July 17, 2014

Wondering About "Wrong Way" Corrigan.

I have been accused of being a "Wrong Way" Corrigan many times and once I did go the wrong way through a whole state.  So, I got wondering exactly how Douglas Corrigan got his nickname.  I am sure that most of you had heard his nickname or like me, be accused of being "one".

It was on this date back in 1938 when Douglas Corrigan (He did not as yet have the famous nickname) took off from Floyd Bennett field in Brooklyn, New York, supposedly to make his return flight back home.  He flew an airplane that he salvaged from a trash heap, rebuilt, and modified for long distance flight, nonstop from Texas to New York.  Not long after he took off, supposedly to return to Texas, he made an hundred and eighty degree turn and disappeared in clouds.  And guess what, twenty-eight hours later he landed in Ireland.  Here is the front page of the New York Post:
 
When he landed in Dublin, the first thing he said was, "Just got in from New York.  Where am I?"  His excuse was that he lost his direction in the clouds and that his compass wasn't working properly.  The authorities didn't believe him and took his license away, but Corrigan stuck to his statement, which gave him his famous nick-name.

Because of public outcry, his license was reinstated, but he returned to the U.S. aboard a ship.  He became a national celebrity.

Now try not to get lost or go the wrong way today, but have a really great day, you hear?

10 comments:

  1. I remember when you did that,,,,lhahahahaha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So do a lot of people. People always remember the stupid things you do. But with me, that is OK, because then a lot of people will remember me.

      Delete
  2. I have always told people "If I ever run off, you can find me in St. Louis."

    NOT because I have a fondness for St. Louis, but when I was living in Indiana it seemed that all the highway signs always had one pointing toward St. Louis.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If there are none, maybe you should put up some signs pointing to St. Louis there in Florida. . . then you will feel more at home.

      Delete
  3. He was just taking the scenic route home. I don't always take the most direct route either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe he did do it on purpose, just to get the notoriety.

      Delete
  4. What state did you wrong-way drive throiugh? I hope it was the panhandle of Oklahoma, or even Texas is only about 150 miles across in the north.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Who the heck is gonna remember the times we went the right way?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All you got to do is take one wrong turn and that is all everyone remembers about the trip.

      Delete