Jimmie Angel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmie Angel
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| Born |
James Crawford Angel
August 1, 1899 |
| Died | December 8, 1956 (aged 57) Gorgas Hospital, Balboa, Canal Zone
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Pilot, explorer |
| Known for | Discovering Angel Falls, 16 November 1933 |
James "Jimmie" Crawford Angel was a brave American pilot and explorer. He is famous for being the first person to fly over and discover the world's tallest waterfall, Angel Falls, in Venezuela. This amazing waterfall is even named after him! Jimmie Angel was born on August 1, 1899, and passed away on December 8, 1956.
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The Early Life of Jimmie Angel
James Crawford Angel was born on August 1, 1899. His hometown was near Cedar Valley, Missouri, in the United States. His parents were Glenn Davis Angel and Margaret Belle Angel.
When he was young, people called him Crawford. This was to avoid confusion with his grandfather, who was also named James. As he grew older, in his twenties, he started using the nickname "Jimmie." This is the name he was known by for the rest of his life.
Discovering Angel Falls
Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world. It plunges from the top of a flat-topped mountain called Auyantepui. This mountain is located in the remote Gran Sabana region of Venezuela.
Before Jimmie Angel, the outside world did not know about these falls. Jimmie Angel first flew over them on November 18, 1933. He was searching for a valuable ore bed at the time.
The Landing Attempt
On October 9, 1937, Jimmie Angel returned to the falls. This time, he planned to land his plane on top of the mountain. His plane was a Flamingo monoplane. He had his second wife, Marie, with him. Also on board were Gustavo Heny and Miguel Delgado, Heny's gardener.
Jimmie tried to land the plane. He touched down successfully, but the ground was very soft. The plane's wheels sank into the mud. This made it impossible for the plane to take off again.
The Long Trek Home
Luckily, everyone on board was unharmed. However, they were stuck on top of the mountain. They had to trek for 11 days to get off the tepui. The journey was very difficult, and they had little food. They finally reached the nearest village, Kamarata.
When news of their adventure spread, people around the world became very interested. This led to many scientific explorations of the Gran Sabana region in the years that followed.
The Plane's Journey
Jimmie Angel's plane stayed on top of Auyantepui for many years. In 1970, the Venezuelan military carefully took it apart. They used helicopters to bring the pieces down from the mountain.
Today, you can see El Rio Caroní, Jimmie Angel's plane. It is displayed outside the airport terminal in Ciudad Bolívar. The plane was put back together at the aviation museum in Maracay.
Jimmie Angel's Passing
On April 17, 1956, Jimmie Angel had an accident. He suffered a head injury while landing his plane in David, Chiriquí, Panama. Soon after, he had a heart attack. For the next eight months, he faced various health problems.
He eventually developed pneumonia. He went to Gorgas Hospital in Panama City. Jimmie Angel passed away there on December 8, 1956.
His Final Wish
Jimmie Angel had a special wish for what should happen after he died. His cremated remains were first placed in a shrine in California. But in 1960, his wife, his two sons, and two friends carried out his wish. On July 2, 1960, they scattered his ashes over Angel Falls. This was a fitting tribute to the explorer who discovered the world's tallest waterfall.
Books About Jimmie Angel
Several books have been written about Jimmie Angel's exciting life.
- Spanish writer Alberto Vázquez-Figueroa wrote a novel in 1998 called Ícaro. This book tells the story of Jimmie Angel's adventures. It has been translated into many languages.
- Another book, "Truth or Dare: The Jimmie Angel Story," was written by Jan-Willem de Vries. This book shares how Angel Falls got its famous name.
See also
In Spanish: James Crawford Angel para niños
