Aviation pioneer Eugene Ely performs the first take-off from a ship in Hampton Roads, VA - November 14, 1910

On November 14, 1910, aviation pioneer Eugene Ely made history as he performed the first take off from a ship in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Ely took off from a temporary platform erected over the bow of the light cruiser USS Birmingham.

The plan was to take-off when the Birmingham was in motion, to help in the take-off. Things didn't go according to plan and Ely took-off while the ship was still anchored. He almost didn't make it and his plane touched water before achieving full flying speed and managed to get airborne and land safely onshore.

http://www.history.navy.mil/wars/datesnov.htm