Here’s an interesting little aviation tidbit about Dutch Island–a quaint isle located just a hair south of Low Country Drifter’s marina on the Wilmington River. Captain Matthew Arlington Batson (1866–1917) was a decorated US Army officer and Medal of Honor recipient who transitioned to aviation innovation after retiring from military service.

In 1912, he moved to Dutch Island with the ambitious plan to develop a transatlantic aircraft. Batson founded the Batson Air Navigation Company and began work on the “Aero Yacht,” a large seaplane designed to transport cargo, crew, and passengers across the Atlantic to Liverpool, England. The journey was expected to take 36 hours, with passenger tickets priced at $2,000.

By 1913 (10 years after the Wright Bros. first flight), the completed Aero Yacht was launched into the Herb River (a tributary of the Wilmington River). Unfortunately, the aircraft sustained damage during its maiden voyage due to a mechanical issue with one of its propellers. Batson then planned to build a smaller aircraft called the “Dragonfly,” but financial difficulties ultimately forced him to abandon the project.

After these challenges and failed attempts, Batson returned to the Army, where he served until his death in 1917. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Today, Dutch Island is a residential community. There are no remnants of Batson’s factory or planes, as they were mysteriously set on fire sometime after his passing.