The Flying Steamshovel

The Flying Steamshovel

Artist’s conception of Lou Gagnon’s helicopter which, due to its appearance was named “The Flying Steamshovel” by onlookers.

How Could They Forget the Flying Steamshovel?

There has been, and still is, considerable controversy surrounding this peculiar story. As you read on, just keep in mind:

• The Wright Brothers’ first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flights took place in 1903 in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina; and

• Paul Cornu is credited with the first free vertical ascent in a helicopter in 1907, France

Meanwhile, the Flying Steamshovel is reported to have flown in 1902!

SO, should the Golden City be acknowledged as the true birthplace of man’s conquering of gravity?

As Father Freney stated in his writings, local newspapers were primarily interested in gold mining and unaware of the possible historical importance the flight could have, and therefore did not even mention the incident in their papers. No notation was made in the local police reports or records from the Mater Misericordiae hospital.

Throughout many transitions in Rossland’s history of changed locations, owners, and fire disasters, many important records have been lost or destroyed. Although no pictures, newspaper reports, or other authoritative records have been found, the details that do remain suggest that this flight happened.

The Inventor: Lou Gagnon

1901 census records, state Fredrick (Lou) Gagnon was born December 16th, 1864 in rural Quebec, but Father Freney states in his article that Gagnon is originally from Toronto, and spoke English and French. His father was born in Quebec, his mother in the USA, and he was Roman Catholic. This is all that is known about his early life. He was a railway boomer engineer and employed by the Nickel Plate Mine as a pump man/trouble-shooter.

It is plausible that he predated the modern helicopter when he designed and built a primitive steam-driven device that actually got off the ground for a few exciting moments before it crashed back to earth. According to his coworkers, “he kept the invention a secret while he was building the machine because he was not sure it would turn out and he was very sensitive about his ability along mechanical lines”.

After his aviation misadventure, the Steamshovel pilot never tried to fly again. He went to work at a men’s clothing store in Spokane, joined a road show as a vocalist, and then returned to railroading.

Evidently, Mr. Gagnon was a man whose natural talents compensated for his lack of aviation knowledge. Discussions of aviation exploits was a subject of little interest to miners or railroaders working in the later 1800’s, therefore it is very probable that Mr. Gagnon drew from his own intelligence, experience, and vision to construct his aircraft. Mr. Gagnon is worthy of mention in the history of aviation. The timing of his invention, the overhead rotor design, and the use of steam power all deserve respect and recognition.

The Invention: His Steam-Powered Flying Machine

Mr. Gagnon’s machine, a two-engine job, was essentially a helicopter. Its main features were an overhead rotor power-driven from a steam turbine, which lifted the whole contraption skyward from a standing jump. It was intended to go straight up and come straight down. It did just this with modifications. A horizontal push-propeller was geared to a cylinder engine similar to that which powers the average motorboat. A pivot vane was also attached to it and acted as a rudder. Some say that the machine was named for its resemblance to a steamshovel; others say the name came from Gagnon’s intention to fly ore off the mountain.

Model created by Rossland Museum staff for display.

Father Freney

The Tale of the Flying Steamshovel as Recorded by Father Freney

The article describing the events surrounding the Flying Steamshovel was written by Thomas Patrick Freney – or Father Freney. Father Freney was born in Rossland on December 9th, 1897. He graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and for ten years, he worked as a journalist. In 1928, he entered a seminary, graduating in 1932.

When he was the Roman Catholic chaplain at St. Eugene’s hospital in Cranbrook BC, Father Freney met Joseph Maderie, a past friend and roommate of Lou Gagnon. Father Freney was immediately intrigued by the story that Mr. Maderie was telling about his eyewitness account of Mr. Gagnon’s flying machine. He continued to gather information from others about the machine and its flight. Forty-three years after its invention, Freney wrote “The Flying Steamshovel” based on those conversations.

Not everyone believed the story of the Flying Steamshovel though. Some helicopter authorities regarded it as a fictional account. Freney wrote his manuscript, included his supporting documentation, and submitted everything to MacLean’s magazine, but the editor required more information.

After MacLean’s rejection, Father Freney was still determined to prove and share this fantastic piece of Rossland’s history with others. Freney tried to show the possibility of the flight by writing to the United Aircraft Corporation and The National Inventors Council. It seems he tried to patent or check for a patent on Gagnon’s invention, but had no luck.  He then submitted his manuscript to literary agent, Scott Meredith, who forwarded the manuscript to twenty-one publishers. One magazine found the story plausible with its substantiating documentation, which included important signed affidavits.  The manuscript was sent to the American Helicopter Magazine to be published.

Signed affidavits by witnesses now exist, and the story is recorded in the November 1947 issue of the American Helicopter Magazine. According to a response letter written by Mr. Meredith to Father Freney, The American Helicopter Magazine would only be paying one cent a word for the publication of The Flying Steamshovel.

Father Freney put in a lot of effort to confirm the story with affidavits, to check the authenticity with corporations and experts, and to search for a patent, and this reveals his undeniable belief in the flight.

This epic event took place near the Great Northern Hotel, situated about a block north on the north east corner of Washington and Third streets. The gentlemen who gave affidavits were consistent in the location of the hotel and the location of the flight. The information gathered from the reports said that the machine flew higher than the roof. The building was burned in the 1960’s to make way for new construction.

Today, you’ll find incredible culinary and performing arts honouring the memory of Lou Gagnon and his amazing invention with the Flying Steamshovel Gastropub and Concert Venue located near the launch site of the Flying Steamshovel.

Sources:

• Leith, W C. Resources For Man. Niagara Falls: The Lindsay Press. 1966