In April 1915, the AB-2 flying boat was successfully catapulted from a barge by Lieutenant Patrick N. L. Bellinger at Pensacola, Fla. The catapult used had been designed in 1913 by Lieutenant Holden C. Richardson, CC, USN, and fabricated at the Washington Navy Yard. The success of this and subsequent launchings led to installation of the catapult aboard ship.

Credits - U.S. Navy Photo