The RCAF Hawker Hurricane fighter (Mark 1) #1364 crashed off Bauline on 27 September 1942. The pilot was Flight Sgt Guy Mott from 125 Fighter Squadron, Torbay.
According to eyewitness statements in the crash report, F/Sgt Mott took off from Torbay airport towards the coast at Portugal Cove and turned north along the coast at 200 feet. White smoke started billowing out of the exhaust ports of his fighter. Mott climbed to 1100 feet, rolled the plane over, and parachuted to the water. He was picked up after 35 minutes in the water by fisherman Chesley King of Bauline. Mott’s wingman Sgt John Gilmartin said they flew to Portugal Cove and over a small Navy vessel (probably a Fairmile motor launch patrolling the Bell Island Tickle). After 2 minutes of flying (presumably north), Gilmartin saw dense white smoke from Mott’s exhaust. Mott bailed out and he fell into the water very near his plane’s wreckage, which quickly sank two kilometres northwest of Bauline.
The crash report states that the plane wreckage was in 50 fathoms of water with none left floating and none was recovered. The smoking engine caused zero visibility for the pilot who had to abandon the aircraft.
Mott became a fighter ace flying Spitfires with the RCAF in France. He was credited with five and a half German fighters shot down. He was shot down in August 1944, evaded capture, and returned to duty. He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, he joined the RAF, served in the Far East, and was Mentioned in Despatches. Guy Elwood Mott died in 2006.
