Empowering the Legacy of Amelia Earhart

A Young Woman Drawn to the Skies

In the early 1920s, aviation was still in its infancy, and female pilots were virtually unheard of. Earhart, in her early twenties, lived in a world where social expectations for women were tightly constrained.

Early Twenties: Awakening to Flight

Amelia Earhart’s journey in aviation began with a transformative 10-minute plane ride with veteran pilot Frank Hawksin in December 1920 at an air show in Long Beach, California. She later reflected, “By the time I had got two or three hundred feet off the ground, I knew I had to fly.” (Live Science).

Within months, she had saved money for lessons with Neta Snook, one of the few female flight instructors in the U.S. Within six months, she purchased her first aircraft—a bright yellow biplane (she lovingly called The Canary) , with it, she broke the women’s altitude record in 1922, climbing to 14,000 feet. This was an era when aircraft were fragile machines of wood and fabric, so her achievement captured attention both in aviation circles and among women’s rights advocates.

Mid-Twenties: First Recognitions and Records

Earhart earned her pilot license in May 1923, becoming the 16th woman licensed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (Live Science). 

Late Twenties (1928): Atlantic Fame

In 1928, at age 30, Earhart journeyed aboard the Friendship as a passenger on the first transatlantic flight by a woman. Though she didn’t pilot the aircraft, the feat turned her into a global celebrity. Reporters compared her to Charles Lindbergh, dubbing her “Lady Lindy,” a nickname that stayed with her throughout her career. She received a ticker-tape parade in New York and was showered with media attention.

The publicity was overwhelming—parades, receptions at the White House, and a book deal quickly followed. Earhart understood the cultural significance of her visibility: she could inspire women by showing what was possible beyond traditional roles. During this period, she became a sought-after speaker and columnist, using her platform to advocate for women in aviation and other professional fields.

Early Thirties: The “Lady Lindy” Era

Solo Transatlantic Flight (1932): On May 20, she became the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic, battling icy weather, mechanical problems, and exhaustion, she landed in a field in Northern Ireland after 15 hours—a feat that mirrored Charles Lindbergh’s journey exactly five years earlier. This daring achievement made her the first woman, and only the second person after Lindbergh, to do so. She was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross—the first woman to receive the honor.

Continental U.S. and Pacific Records: Her momentum didn’t stop there. In August of the same year, she became the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the continental U.S from Los Angeles to Newark. By 1935, she became the first person to fly solo from Hawaii to California—a particularly dangerous route over open ocean. These records not only demonstrated technical skill but also helped normalize the idea of women undertaking dangerous, high-stakes endeavors.

Alongside her flights, Earhart was also a prolific writer and speaker. During this period, she also became aviation editor for Cosmopolitan (1928–1930) where she encouraged young women to pursue bold careers and published two books: 20 Hrs. 40 Min. (1928) and The Fun of It (1932), the latter encouraging women to break societal norms.

Personal Choices and Partnerships

Earhart’s personal life reflected her progressive spirit. In February 1931, Earhart married publisher George Palmer Putnam (after reportedly six proposals) who went on to play a crucial role in shaping her public image. Yet she insisted on maintaining independence in her marriage, famously writing a letter to Putnam stating that she would not be bound by conventional expectations. 

She remained committed to her career, even writing to him that she “shall not hold you to any mediaeval code of faithfulness”—placing aviation above conventional expectations. Their partnership was built as much on professional collaboration as personal companionship—Putnam helped organize her flights and public appearances, while Earhart focused on her passion for flying and women’s advancement.

Mid-Thirties: Preparing the World Flight

By 1935, Earhart was appointed a consultant in careers for women at Purdue University. Appointed as a visiting faculty member, she served as a career counselor for female students, encouraging them to dream beyond traditional boundaries. Purdue also helped finance her Lockheed Electra, the aircraft she would use in her final, ill-fated flight which she referred to as her “flying laboratory.” 

The Fateful Final Flight (1937)

By the mid-1930s, Earhart wanted to attempt her most ambitious project yet: a flight around the world. While others had circumnavigated the globe, none had done so at the equator, which would be the longest possible route. This venture was not just about personal ambition—it was also framed as a scientific expedition, with her aircraft outfitted as a “flying laboratory” for research and navigation experiments.

Westbound Attempt and Ground-Loop Incident

Her first attempt in March 1937 ended in disaster when her Electra was damaged in a ground-loop accident in Honolulu. After repairs, she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, tried again in June, this time flying eastward. They successfully crossed South America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, arriving in Lae, New Guinea, with only the Pacific stretch left.

Eastbound Departure and Progress

Resuming their plan, they began again on June 1, flying eastbound from Miami. Over several weeks, they refueled across South America, Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, reaching Lae, New Guinea by June 29—at this point, 22,000 miles of their 29,000-mile journey had been completed.

Disappearance Near Howland Island

On July 2, Earhart and Noonan departed from Lae, heading to Howland Island—just 2,500–2,600 miles away. A U.S. Coast Guard cutter, the Itasca, waited offshore to assist, but poor radio contact and challenging navigation hindered help. Earhart’s transmission that they were "running north and south" along a navigational line was their last message.

Search and Loss

The plane is believed to have crashed roughly 100 miles from Howland Island, and the search—then the most extensive and costly in U.S. history—ceased after weeks with no trace found. Earhart and Noonan were declared lost at sea; Earhart was legally presumed dead on January 5, 1939.

Theories and Legacy

The Official “Crash-and-Sink”

Government investigators and most historians conclude Earhart ran out of fuel and crashed into the Pacific near Howland Island—a scenario supported by radio logs and search efforts.

Nikumaroro Castaway Hypothesis

TIGHAR proposes that Earhart and Noonan, missing Howland, may have landed on Nikumaroro (then Gardner Island). Artifacts—including shoes, Plexiglas fragments, and bones—found by expeditions support the theory, although no conclusive proof exists.

Other Speculations and Recent Efforts

Alternate theories—such as capture by Japanese forces—persist despite lack of evidence. Technological efforts continue: a recent sonar image captured by a private exploration near Howland has reignited interest, though experts caution that confirmation remains elusive.

Summary Table: Era Highlights

A History of Burry Port, South Wales

Burry Port is a coastal town in Carmarthenshire, situated on the northern shores of Carmarthen Bay, approximately five miles west of Llanelli. 

It occupies a strategic position at the mouth of the Loughor estuary, where the land gives way to wide tidal sands and marshes. Today the town is widely recognised for its harbour, sandy beaches, and strong sense of community life, but its origins as a settlement are relatively recent.

The town as it is known today owes its existence to the industrial expansion of South Wales during the 19th century. Before that period, the area was sparsely populated farmland on the edge of the parish of Pembrey. 

The rapid growth of coal mining in the Gwendraeth Valley, coupled with the demand for new facilities to export coal and metals, brought about the construction of Burry Port Harbour in the early 1830s. This development transformed the coastline and gave rise to a new settlement that quickly grew into a thriving town. The history of Burry Port is closely bound to coal and copper, two industries that shaped the entire region of South Wales during the Victorian era. 

Its harbour became a gateway through which the products of the Carmarthenshire coalfield reached markets across Britain and overseas. Shipping dominated daily life, with docks, warehouses, and railway links forming the backbone of the town’s economy.

Yet Burry Port’s past is not only industrial. In 1928, the town became the unlikely focus of world attention when the American aviator Amelia Earhart landed there following her pioneering transatlantic flight. This singular event added an international dimension to Burry Port’s history, ensuring that its name would forever be associated with both industry and aviation achievement.

Burry Port Docks Area circa 1928

Early Settlement

Before the harbour was constructed, the landscape where Burry Port now stands was very different from the busy town it later became. The area consisted largely of open farmland, salt marshes, and tidal flats along the Burry estuary. The low-lying land was shaped by the rhythms of the tide and was better suited to grazing animals than to large-scale arable farming. 

Smallholdings and scattered cottages dotted the landscape, but there was no organised settlement resembling a town. The nearby village of Pembrey was the traditional centre of local life for many centuries. Pembrey has medieval origins, with its parish church of St Illtyd dating back to at least the 12th century, and documentary evidence pointing to an established agricultural community during the Norman period. Its position slightly inland offered more secure ground than the marshy coastal plain, making it the natural hub of the surrounding district. 

Local people in the pre-industrial era relied on farming, fishing, cockling, and small-scale rural industries such as weaving and lime burning. Coastal resources were important too; the broad sands of Carmarthen Bay provided fishing grounds and shellfish, while the estuary and creeks were used for small boats trading in coal, timber, and limestone on a local scale.

Despite this activity, Burry Port as a distinct settlement did not exist until the 19th century. It was the industrial revolution, particularly the demand for coal exports, that transformed the coastline and created the conditions for the new town to emerge. The building of a purpose-built harbour in the 1830s marked the beginning of Burry Port’s development as a separate community, distinct from its older neighbour Pembrey.

Industrial Growth and the Harbour

The transformation of Burry Port gathered pace in the early 19th century, driven by the rapid expansion of the South Wales coalfield. Coal was the foundation of the region’s industrial power, fuelling ironworks, copper smelting, and steamships, while also becoming one of Britain’s most important exports. 

The Gwendraeth Valley, just inland from the Carmarthenshire coast, was rich in coal seams, but without an efficient means of transport, much of its potential remained untapped. 

The opening of Burry Port Harbour in 1832 provided the vital solution. The harbour was specifically designed to handle large volumes of coal shipments, equipped with quays, basins, and storage areas to accommodate the growing demands of trade. Tramroads and later railway lines were constructed to connect the harbour directly with the collieries of the Gwendraeth Valley, ensuring that coal could be transported swiftly from pithead to ship.

The harbour became the nucleus of a thriving town. Around it, new warehouses were built for storing coal and other goods, while shipyards emerged to construct and maintain vessels. 

The arrival of the Llanelly and Mynydd Mawr Railway in the mid-19th century further boosted the town’s connections, linking it not only to the coalfields but also to nearby industrial centres such as Llanelli and Swansea. 

This made Burry Port an important link in the chain of South Wales’ export network. Industrial growth also transformed the social fabric of the area. Workers and their families arrived in increasing numbers, drawn by employment opportunities in the docks, railways, and associated industries. Rows of terraced houses, nonconformist chapels, schools, and shops appeared, turning what had once been open marshland into a bustling urban community. 

By the latter half of the 19th century, Burry Port had established itself as a significant industrial hub. Its economy was heavily dependent on the export of coal, but other trades, including copper processing, ironworking, and general shipping, also flourished. The town’s position on Carmarthen Bay gave it both local importance and international reach, firmly cementing its role in the wider industrial history of South Wales.

The Copper and Coal Era

While coal remained the backbone of Burry Port’s prosperity, the town was also closely connected to the copper industry, which shaped much of South Wales in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

The region between Swansea and Llanelli became known as “Copperopolis”, a global centre of copper smelting, thanks to its access to coal, water, and good harbour facilities. Burry Port, situated between these two larger industrial centres, inevitably became part of this network.

Coal from the Gwendraeth Valley was exported in large quantities through Burry Port Harbour, but the port also handled imports of raw materials such as copper ore. Much of this ore arrived from as far afield as Cornwall, North Wales, and South America, feeding the smelting works that were established along the South Wales coast. 

Although Burry Port itself never rivalled Swansea in scale, its harbour supported smaller local copper operations and provided vital shipping capacity to relieve pressure on neighbouring ports. By the mid-19th century, Burry Port’s dual role in coal and copper cemented its status as a busy industrial hub. Railways converged on the docks, wagons of coal trundled down from the valleys, and vessels of all sizes sailed in and out of the harbour. 

In addition to copper, other trades developed, including iron, tinplate, and limestone, all of which relied on the harbour for transport. The town developed a strong working-class identity, shaped by coal miners, dockworkers, and their families. By the latter half of the century, Burry Port was firmly established as part of the wider industrial landscape of South Wales. 

Its economy was tied to the rise and fall of coal and copper, and its harbour remained the centrepiece of local life. Though it could not rival the scale of Swansea or Llanelli, Burry Port played a significant supporting role in the region’s industrial success, ensuring its place in the history of the Carmarthenshire coast.

Building the Harbour

The driving force behind Burry Port’s growth was the urgent need to find new and efficient outlets for the coal mined in the Gwendraeth Valley and surrounding coalfields. 

By the early 19th century, South Wales had become one of the most important coal-producing regions in the world. Llanelli Harbour had already been developed to serve this booming trade, but it soon became congested, and its tidal limitations made it difficult to accommodate the growing volume of shipping. Merchants, industrialists, and landowners sought alternative facilities that could ease the bottleneck and expand opportunities for export.

The result was the construction of Burry Port Harbour, a major undertaking intended to serve as a rival to Llanelli. 

Work on the harbour began in the late 1820s, and in 1832 the docks were officially opened. The new harbour featured stone-built dock walls, tidal basins, and lock gates designed to manage the movement of ships in and out of the estuary. Its location on the northern edge of Carmarthen Bay gave it access to deep water and made it well suited to large vessels carrying coal, iron, and other cargoes.

The harbour was not an isolated project; it was part of a wider transport network that included railways and canals. Early tramroads connected the harbour with the collieries inland, and in the following decades these were upgraded into proper railway lines, allowing coal to be transported quickly and in large quantities. 

This integration of rail and maritime trade gave Burry Port a competitive edge, drawing business away from neighbouring ports. 

The creation of the harbour also brought about the creation of a new town. As workers and their families arrived to service the docks, operate the railways, and work in associated industries, houses, shops, chapels, and schools appeared around the harbour. What had been open marshland and scattered farmsteads was rapidly transformed into a planned urban settlement. Significantly, the name of the harbour "Burry Port" was soon adopted by the town itself, firmly linking its identity with the docks that gave it life.

Industry and Expansion

The mid-19th century saw rapid industrial growth. Burry Port became a focal point for the export of coal and iron, while copper smelting also became established in the area, in line with the wider development of South Wales as “Copperopolis.”The arrival of the Llanelly and Mynydd Mawr Railway (later connected to the Great Western Railway) in 1852 integrated Burry Port further into regional trade networks. 

Workers and their families settled around the harbour, and the town expanded with new streets, chapels, schools, and shops. By the late 1800s, Burry Port was a thriving industrial settlement, its harbour bustled with ships carrying coal and metals to markets across Britain and beyond.

Amelia Earhart’s Landing, 1928

One of the most famous events in the town’s history occurred in June 1928, when American aviator Amelia Earhart became the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air. She was a passenger on the seaplane Friendship, which made landfall in Burry Port Harbour after a flight from Newfoundland. 

Though Earhart did not pilot the plane herself, the achievement brought her international recognition and secured Burry Port a place in the annals of aviation history. 

Today, a plaque near the harbour commemorates the landing.

Decline of Industry and Modern Development

Like many industrial towns in South Wales, Burry Port’s fortunes were tied to the coal industry, and when that industry began to contract, the effects were deeply felt. 

From the early 20th century onwards, the global demand for Welsh coal declined as oil and other energy sources became more widely used. International markets that once relied on Carmarthenshire coal began to dwindle, and the docks at Burry Port saw fewer ships entering their basins. The decline accelerated after the Second World War, when many of the surrounding collieries closed permanently. 

Without coal exports to sustain it, Burry Port Harbour fell gradually into disuse. By the mid-20th century, the bustling industrial activity that had defined the town for over a hundred years had largely disappeared. Warehouses stood empty, the railway sidings fell quiet, and the shipyards that once serviced vessels lay idle. This industrial downturn brought significant social and economic challenges. 

Families who had depended on coal mining, smelting, or dock work often faced hardship, and younger generations sought opportunities elsewhere. The decline of heavy industry left a physical as well as an economic mark on the town, with spoil tips, disused pits, and redundant harbour infrastructure standing as reminders of a vanished era.

Yet Burry Port, like many Welsh communities, adapted and gradually reshaped itself in the post-industrial period. By the late 20th century, the harbour had been redeveloped for leisure use, becoming a marina for fishing boats, yachts, and pleasure craft. Instead of coal wagons, the docks now welcomed visitors seeking to enjoy the scenic coastline.

The construction of the Millennium Coastal Path in the 1990s and early 2000s further transformed the area, creating a landscaped route for walkers and cyclists along the Carmarthenshire coast. Burry Port Harbour became a focal point of this regeneration, serving as both a reminder of the town’s industrial heritage and a centre for recreation and tourism.

Today, Burry Port stands as a town that has moved beyond its industrial origins while retaining pride in its history. Its harbour, once a symbol of coal and copper, is now a symbol of renewal, linking the town’s industrial past to its modern role as a coastal community with natural beauty and a distinctive heritage.

Burry Port Today

In the present day, Burry Port is best known not for its coal exports or shipbuilding, but for its harbour, beaches, and welcoming community. 

The shift from an industrial town to a coastal settlement centred on leisure and tourism has redefined its character, while its history continues to shape local identity. The harbour, once crowded with colliers and cargo vessels, now functions as a marina for fishing boats, yachts, and sailing craft. It serves as a hub for recreational activities, drawing visitors from across South Wales and beyond. 

The nearby sandy beaches stretch along Carmarthen Bay, offering safe bathing and panoramic views across to the Gower Peninsula and the Loughor estuary. Burry Port also benefits from its position on the Millennium Coastal Path, a 13-mile route linking Llanelli with Pembrey and beyond. This path has become one of the town’s major assets, encouraging walking, cycling, and eco-tourism while reconnecting the community with its waterfront. 

The surrounding area includes the popular Pembrey Country Park, with its woodlands, dunes, and the expansive Cefn Sidan beach, further enhancing Burry Port’s appeal as a destination. Despite the changes of the last century, the town has retained much of its heritage character. Historic chapels, Victorian terraces, and the surviving dock walls of the harbour all stand as reminders of its industrial past. 

Community groups and local historians have worked to preserve and share this heritage, ensuring that the story of coal, copper, and Amelia Earhart’s landing remains central to the town’s identity. Modern Burry Port is a resilient and vibrant community, shaped by its history yet looking to the future. Its economy now rests on small businesses, tourism, and services rather than heavy industry, but the pride of its people in their town remains unchanged. 

For visitors, it offers both a window into the industrial past of South Wales and the chance to enjoy one of the most attractive stretches of coastline in Carmarthenshire.

How Long Did Amelia Earhart Stay in Burry Port—and Where Did She Stay?

Overnight Stay at the Ashburnham Hotel

Amelia Earhart and her crew landed on the Loughor Estuary near Burry Port around 12:40 pm on 18 June 1928, after their transatlantic flight aboard the seaplane "Friendship". Weather and tidal conditions prevented an immediate onward journey, so they spent the night at the nearby Ashburnham Hotel in Pembrey. They resumed their journey the next morning, 19 June 1928 at around 11 am, departing from Burry Port Harbour to continue toward Southampton.

Accommodation & Historic Remarks

The Ashburnham Hotel, with a rich lineage as a 19th-century coaching inn, holds the distinction of hosting Earhart’s historic overnight stay. Today, guests can stay in the "Amelia Room", named in her honour, a fitting tribute to her pioneering achievement .

That evening, surrounded by reporters and local attention, Earhart shared a poignant reflection with Alice Jones, the hotel’s proprietor at that time: -

“How lovely your country is... The stillness and the silence brings back again the almost awesome feeling… To think that 48 hours ago I was in America and now I am in Wales!”

Early photo of the Ashburnham Hotel

The Amelia Room at The Ashburnham Hotel

Operated today as a welcoming coastal landmark steeped in heritage, The Ashburnham Hotel prominently celebrates its aviation milestone. As detailed on its official site, the hotel highlights its role in hosting Earhart and her crew, and offers guests the chance to stay in the "Amelia Room"—a subtle yet meaningful homage that connects guests to her legacy while enjoying a warm and historical setting.

Recent renovation plans further aim to refresh the hotel’s interiors while preserving its authenticity and historical charm—ensuring the Amelia connection remains at the heart of its character.

To find out more about this lovely, historical hotel follow the link....

The Ashburnham Hotel – The Ash Bar & Grill

A Near-Miss with Aviation History

The following morning, a dramatic moment unfolded; Sir Arthur Whitten Brown, famous alongside John Alcock for the first nonstop transatlantic flight in 1919, had traveled from nearby Swansea to congratulate Earhart. Alas, a boat dispatched to him arrived too late, the "Friendship" had already departed, missing a poignant meeting between two aviation trailblazers

Summary Table

This page will try to link contact and access details to as many Groups, Associations, Museum's, Places of interest that have a connection with Amelia Earhart. Please contact us if you would like to be listed or have a mention. 

Amelia Earhart | National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo, shaping the future by preserving heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world. The Institution was founded in 1846 with funds from the Englishman James Smithson (1765–1829) according to his wishes “under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” 

We continue to honor this mission and invite you to join us in our quest.

Smithsonian Institution

Nauticos Expedition Portal

Amelia Rose Earhart is an around-the-world pilot, international keynote speaker, author, and artist. Known for her bold approach to adventure, she flew a single-engine Pilatus PC-12 around the globe in 2014 and has inspired audiences worldwide with her message of resilience and exploration. Now, Amelia is bringing her entrepreneurial energy and creative lens to the Nauticos team, helping to share the story of the next search for Amelia Earhart’s plane and rally the support needed to make it possible. With a background in journalism and a passion for connecting people to big ideas.

Amelia is eager to bring the next Nauticos search to life, turning curiosity into action, and transforming one of history’s greatest mysteries into a mission the whole world can follow.

Amelia Rose Earhart Joins the Nauticos Team

Response to Deep Sea Vision’s Sonar Target in the Search for Amelia Earhart 

Nauticos has surveyed 1860nm2 across 3 expeditions in 2002, 2006, and 2017. 

Combined with the Waitt Institute’s search in 2009, 3610nm2 have previously been surveyed without locating the aircraft. This is an area close to the size of Connecticut. The sonar target DSV has detected, appears to be consistent with the sonar signature of an airplane, however, long range sonar images have historically proven to be deceiving, especially in areas with geological formations.

Yes, the sonar target appears to have a fuselage, wings, and a tail, but…it appears to have swept wings, the relative dimensions do not match the Electra, and there is a lack of engine nacelles. Those characteristics are not consistent with a Lockheed Electra 10E.All airplane “like” targets in the vicinity of Howland Island have the potential to be Amelia’s Electra and should be positively identified. 

All credible fuel endurance studies indicate she ran out of fuel around the time of her last transmission at 08:43. One hour after she reportedly radioed “½ hour fuel remaining. ”Nauticos historic radio testing and analysis has determined that she was just outside visual range of the Coast Guard cutter Itasca positioned at Howland Island at 08:00.

Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum

House History 

Amelia Earhart's maternal grandfather began construction on this wood-frame, Gothic Revival cottage in 1861. Located at 223 N. Terrace the home is perched high on the west bank of the scenic Missouri River. 

Amelia was born in the home on July 24, 1897, to Edwin Stanton Earhart and Amy Otis Earhart.  She lived in her maternal grandparent's house on and off through 8th grade. She considered this house to be her childhood home and Atchison to be her hometown. The Amelia Earhart Birthplace represents one of the most tangible links to Amelia Earhart.
 
Between 1918 and 1984 the home had three owners, each making their own impact on the house. In 1984 a local doctor, Dr. Eugene J. Bribach, donated $100,000 for the purchase and maintenance of the house to The Ninety-Nines, an International Organization of Women Pilots (to which Amelia not only belonged but also served as their inaugural president). It is this donation that created the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum.

Many thanks to our friends at the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum for allowing us to use their information and photos.