Pacific Marine Airways started operations with World War 1 Curtiss HS-2L flying boats converted to 6 passenger planes.

In 1928 Pacific Marine Airways switched to Loening C-2 seaplanes and moved from Wilmington to Mines Field now LAX.

The Wrigleys built the airline a compact base that featured a turntable at the top of the ramp to turn the aircraft.

In 1945, after World War 2 the Hamilton Cove Seaplane Base reopened but did not offer regularly scheduled flights.

In the crash, Elliott McFarlane Moore, the manager of Wilmington-Catalina Airlines, and the co-pilot George R. Baker, were instantly killed.