The monument was erected in 1930 to commemorate the historic landing of the seaplane "Friendship"—piloted by Wilmer Stultz, with Amelia Earhart aboard, on the Loughor Estuary near Burry Port on 18 June 1928. Earhart thereby became the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air.
It stands as a tribute to her pioneering spirit and the local moment that thrust Burry Port briefly onto the global stage.
Design and Unveiling
Designed as an "obelisk memorial", the structure is made of reconstituted stone and stands approximately 20 feet tall. It is positioned on a square base with a stepped plinth. Each corner of the base features corbelled basins beneath lion-head fountains, integrating both form and function.
The monument is adorned with a metal weathervane on top, shaped like the Friendship seaplane—a fitting and visually striking tribute.
Inscriptions on the main plaque read: -
“Erected in commemoration of Miss Amelia Earhart, of Boston, U.S.A., the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, who, with her companions, Wilmer Stultz & Louis Gordon, flew from Trepassey, Newfoundland, to Burry Port in 20 hours 49 minutes in the seaplane ‘Friendship’ on 18th June 1928.”
A secondary plaque notes: -
“Unveiled on the 8th August 1930, by Sir Arthur Whitten-Brown, K.B.E., who, with the late Sir John Alcock, K.B.E., accomplished the first aerial crossing of the Atlantic on June 15th 1919.”
The monument was officially unveiledon8 August 1930, with aviation pioneer Sir Arthur Whitten-Brown, half of the famous Alcock and Brown non-stop Atlantic crossing team, presiding over the ceremony.
Heritage Status & Local Legacy
In 2003, the monument was designated as a Grade II listed structure, recognized for its intricacy and historical importance as a memorial tied to a landmark in aviation history.
Placement-wise, it stands at Stepney Roadnear the Memorial Square, fenced within a small garden, ensuring it's centrally visible yet respectfully enclosed.
The monument serves as a poignant reminder that history often unfolds in unexpected places and that Burry Port, for one remarkable day in 1928, became part of a story that captured the world’s imagination.
Additional Commemorations
For the 75th anniversary of Earhart’s landing in 2003, Burry Port held a special Amelia Earhart Festival. This celebration reignited community pride and remembrance of that historic moment. A restored wooden buoy, originally used to moor the "Friendship"at the estuary, was refurbished and installed near the harbour with a commemorative plaque.
The town also features the Amelia Earhart Gardens and an engraved commemorative stone, further embedding her achievement into Burry Port’s local heritage and communal memory.
Artistic tributes have also marked her legacy. Notably, aviation artist Ruth Lewis created watercolour paintings of the "Friendship", inspired by the 75th anniversary celebrations. Her work has been featured in exhibitions, further enshrining Earhart’s connection with the community.
Summary
Landing Date: 18 June 1928, on the waters of the Loughor Estuary.
First Woman to Fly the Atlantic: Commissioned after that feat.
Monument Unveiling: By Sir Arthur Whitten-Brown in August 1930.
Design: Obelisk with weathervane shaped like Friendship; commemorative plaques.
Heritage Recognition: Grade II listed in 2003.
Additional Memorials: Buoy marker and commemorative stone added in 2003.
