Timeline of US Navy airship units (pre-WWII) facts for kids
The United States Navy once used giant airships, also known as blimps or dirigibles, for different missions. Unlike smaller blimps that flew in groups, these huge rigid airships usually operated alone. The most famous ones, the USS Akron and USS Macon, even carried small airplanes inside them!
Early Airships: The 1910s
New Airships Arrive
In 1919, the US Navy bought a semi-rigid airship called the O-1 from Italy. This was an important step for the Navy's airship program.
Later that year, the Navy also ordered a large airship, the ZR-2, from Britain. It was being built there as the R38.
Growing the Fleet: The 1920s
Building and Learning
In 1921, the first big airship hangar in the US was built in Lakehurst, New Jersey. This huge building was needed to house and work on these massive flying machines.
Sadly, the ZR-2 (R38) crashed during a test flight in Britain. Most of its crew died, including 16 US Navy sailors who were training to fly it back to the US. The airship broke apart because of strong movements at low height and high speed. The US Navy never officially took delivery of it.
America's First Giant Airship
In 1922, the first American-built rigid airship, the USS Shenandoah, was built in Hangar No. 1 at Lakehurst, New Jersey. This was a big achievement for American engineering.
On August 20, 1923, the USS Shenandoah was officially named.
In September, the USS Shenandoah was launched and flew from Lakehurst. It was special because it was the first airship ever to be filled with helium. At that time, helium was very rare, and the Shenandoah held almost all the world's supply!
A Gift from Germany
In 1924, the US Navy bought and received the USS Los Angeles (ZR-3) from Germany. This was the only German-built airship the US Navy ever owned. Germany paid for it using "war reparations" money, which was money owed after World War I. This helped save the Zeppelin company that built it. The Los Angeles was very successful and flew safely for eight years.
On November 25, 1924, the USS Los Angeles was officially put into service in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The USS Shenandoah and USS Los Angeles had to share the limited supply of helium. This meant they took turns flying and getting maintenance.
A Tragic Loss
On September 3, 1925, the USS Shenandoah was lost. It flew into a very bad thunderstorm over Noble County, Ohio, during a flight that wasn't well planned. The storm caused the airship to break into pieces, and 14 of its crew members died.
New Plans for the Future
On June 24, 1926, the Navy decided to build two new, very large airships. These were named USS Akron (ZRS-4) and USS Macon (ZRS-5). They were meant to be the core of a modern air force.
The US Navy also started thinking about using airships as airborne aircraft carriers. This meant the airships could carry and launch airplanes! The British had already tried a similar idea. The USS Los Angeles was used to test this new idea. Then, the USS Akron and Macon, which were the biggest airships in the world at the time, were built to test it further. Each of these giant airships could carry four F9C Sparrowhawk fighter planes inside its hangar and even launch a fifth from a special hook underneath. This idea had mixed results. By the time the Navy figured out the best way to use these airships, the last one, USS Macon, was lost. Airplanes that could land on water (seaplanes) were also getting better, and the Navy decided to invest in them instead.
A Metal Airship
In 1929, a unique airship called the ZMC-2 was built. It was special because it had a metal skin. This airship was used until 1941.
The Final Giants: The 1930s
Airships and Skyscrapers
The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, was even built with a special mast on top for airships to dock! People hoped that airships would become a common way to travel and ship goods.
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On August 8, 1931, the USS Akron was launched.
Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend
In 1932, the USS Los Angeles was taken out of service. It had served the Navy well for many years.
Another Sad Accident
On April 3, 1933, the USS Akron was caught in a severe storm and crashed into the sea off the coast of New Jersey. The airship did not carry enough lifeboats or life vests. Because of this, 73 of its 76 crew members died from drowning or from the cold water.
On April 21, 1933, the USS Macon was launched.
The Last Giant Falls
On February 12, 1935, the USS Macon was lost. It suffered damage to its structure near Point Sur Lighthouse offshore. This caused it to lose helium. The problem got much worse when the airship flew too high, losing even more helium and making it impossible to stay in the air. Luckily, only 2 of its 83 crew members died in this crash. After the Akron disaster, life jackets and inflatable rafts were added to the Macon, which saved many lives.
The End of an Era
In 1940, the USS Los Angeles was taken apart. This marked the end of an important chapter in US Navy aviation history.
 | William Lucy |
 | Charles Hayes |
 | Cleveland Robinson |
