Eddie Hubbard in his leather flying coat with his Boeing B1 and mail. image courtesy of the Seattle Museum of History and Industry

Eddie Hubbard in his leather flying coat with his Boeing B1 and mail. image courtesy of the Seattle Museum of History and Industry

In 1919 Eddie Hubbard was the first pilot to land in Victoria’s harbour. Under contract with the United States Postal Service (USPS) he established the first airmail service on the west coast flying into Victoria’s harbour out of Seattle. In his two years he flew 35,000 miles over 220 Seattle – Victoria round trips.
In 1921 for no discernable reason Hubbard lost the USPS contract to Alaska Airways. Ancel Eckmann who, in 1929, would be the first to fly Seattle-Juneau, flew American Airways’ Curtiss HS-21 flying boat on the service. The contract reverted back to Hubbard after six months later.
Upon Hubbard’s retirement in 1927, Herold Walker took over from Hubbard. He flew Hubbard’s B1 flying boat for Northwest Air Services Inc. until 1929.

Webliography
Wings Across the Water