The first commercial survey flights across the North Atlantic were made jointly by Pan American Airways and Imperial Airways, a forerunner of British Overseas Airways Corporation. Piloted by Captain Harold E. Gray, the Pan American Sikorsky S-42B Clipper flying boat departed from Port Washington and arrived at Foynes, Ireland, on July 9, 1937. Piloted by Captain Arthur S. Wilcockson, the Imperial Airways Short 'G' Class Flying Boat Caledonia arrived at Port Washington on that date from Foynes. These flights pioneered the beginning of a new era in communications between the peoples of the world.