111 Years Ago: Pensacola Bay Witnessed First Catapult Launch from Moving Ship

On this day in 1915, Pensacola Bay was the scene of a historic first in naval aviation. Lieutenant Commander Henry C. Mustin successfully launched an AB-2 seaplane from the armored cruiser USS North Carolina using a catapult while the ship was underway — a milestone that would shape the future of carrier-based aviation.

The achievement marked a turning point in how the Navy could deploy aircraft at sea, moving beyond stationary launches from docked vessels. Mustin's flight from the USS North Carolina in Pensacola Bay demonstrated that aircraft could be rapidly launched during active operations, a capability that would become fundamental to modern naval warfare.

The feat reflects Pensacola's deep roots in naval aviation history. The area around NAS Pensacola has long been central to the development of carrier operations and aircraft launch systems that remain in use today.