7 November 1913

Retired Army Captain Matthew Batson, a Medal of Honor recipient and visionary aviationist, selected Dutch Island (near Savannah, GA) for building a hydro-aeroplane which would fly across the Atlantic. On November 7, 1913, the ungainly Aero Yacht was rolled into the Herb River. Due to mechanical error, one of the propellers was accidentally engaged, seriously damaging the plane. All activities were suspended. A smaller "air boat" called the Dragonfly later reportedly flew for 30 minutes at an altitude of about 15 feet. The story was never substantiated. Batson died in 1917 and was interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.