219 - ROQUEFORT, Sébastien (1893–1934), head of the Marine Division of the Latécoère Lines

ROQUEFORT, Sébastien (1893–1934), head of the Marine Division of the Latécoère Lines L.A.S., Dakar, June 16, 1930, to Jean MERMOZ; 2 pages, in-4 format, on Compagnie générale aéropostale letterhead. [After breaking the record for crossing the South Atlantic, Mermoz faced a series of difficulties in getting his seaplane off the water from Natal, which he was not able to do until July 8… only to then crash into the ocean.] He “followed and admired all your efforts with joy. Everything was ready, and I am truly sorry about this setback. Until today, I still had hope; I stayed up all night trying to get a message. I hope my telegram did not offend you […] If I suggested departing at dawn from Natal—or at least in such a way as to arrive in Dakar around 5 or 6 a.m.—it’s because we’ve already had a tornado, and it would be unwise to arrive at night. Dawn is currently the best time here. These days the winds are variable, coming from the south; this morning they were from the west. But you should expect winds from the southeast around here, with somewhat foggy conditions. As the fog lifts at sunrise, you’ll surely see the land shrouded in mist, with fog on the horizon, but flying at 500, you’ll be able to make out the hills clearly. Rest assured that we’re rooting for you with all our hearts”… Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family