The Curtiss NC-4, a large flying boat designed for long-distance flights, was constructed as part of the United States Navy's efforts to expand aerial capabilities following World War I. Commanded by Albert Cushing Read, the aircraft left Trepassey, Newfoundland, on a journey that would transform aerial navigation and long-range flight. The NC-4 was part of a Navy project to establish a transatlantic route for military and commercial aviation. Read's crew comprised five men who skillfully operated the aircraft and navigated the vast Atlantic waters. Their flight plan included a stopover in the Azores, a key mid-point between North America and Europe. This ambitious journey garnered significant media attention, showcasing the technological advancements of the time and igniting public interest in aviation.

The journey began under relatively calm conditions, yet the crew faced numerous challenges, including changing weather patterns and navigating across an uncharted ocean. Their successful arrival at Lisbon was met with great fanfare, as it demonstrated the feasibility of long-distance air travel. In total, the NC-4 flight around the world would inspire further advancements in both civilian and military aviation, leading to the establishment of regular transatlantic commercial flights in the years that followed. Moreover, it heralded a new era in global connectivity, where air travel would become a significant mode of transportation for both goods and people.

As the crew of the NC-4 accomplished their landmark flight, they paved the way for future aviators and dwarfed the previous limits of aerial exploration. This successful transatlantic crossing captured the imagination of a generation enthralled by the possibilities of powered flight, making it a defining moment in the history of aviation exploration.