Photo #: NH 42160
USS Akron (ZRS-4)
Damage to the airship's lower fin, 22 February 1932. Akron
was being removed from her hangar at Naval Air Station Lakehurst,
New Jersey, when the wind caused her tail to break loose from
the rail car used for maneuvering the airship on the ground.
A party of Congressmen was waiting to board Akron at the
time, and Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, Chief of the Bureau
of Aeronautics, was also present. This photograph was taken immediately
after the accident, and shows RAdm. Moffett in the left center,
facing the camera.
Though her fin was seriously damaged, Akron was repaired
in about two months.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
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Photo #: NH 84169
USS Akron (ZRS-4)
Montage of four photographs of the incident in which three line
handlers were pulled into the air when Akron accidently
climbed while attempting to land at Camp Kearney, near San Diego,
California, on 11 May 1932.
The two views at left show Seaman Apprentice Charles M. Cowart
clinging to the trail line as the airship crew slowly winched
him on board. The photo at right is of Cowart on board the Akron
after his rescue.
The view second from right shows Sailors Nigel Merton Henton
and Harold Edsal holding onto the lines just after Akron
lifted off. Both men fell to their deaths immediately after the
photograph was taken.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
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Photo #: NH 72639
Loss of USS Akron (ZRS-4), 4 April 1933
U.S. Navy Reserve O2C-1 aircraft returning to their base at Floyd
Bennett Field, New York, at sunset, after searching off the New
Jersey coast for survivors of the lost airship Akron.
Courtesy of Loyd D. Reckner, 1970
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
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Photo #: NH 55468
Survivors of USS Akron (ZRS-4)
Receive commendations from the Secretary of the Navy, in his
Navy Department office, shortly after the airship's loss on 4
April 1933. Those present are (from left to right):
Assistant Secretary of the Navy Henry A. Roosevelt;
Secretary of the Navy Claude Swanson;
Admiral William V. Pratt, Chief of Naval Operations;
Lieutenant Commander Herbert V. Wiley, senior survivor;
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Richard E. Deal, survivor; and
Aviation Metalsmith 2nd Class Moody Erwin, survivor.
Erwin, whose left hand is bandaged, is apparently wearing a borrowed
uniform, as its insignia is that of a Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
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Photo #: NH 57960
Airship Hindenburg disaster, 6 May 1937
German Lieutenant Colonel Joachim Breithhaupt places a wreath
at the American Legion Chapel, Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New
Jersey, on Memorial Day, 31 May 1937. The wreath was laid in
memory of those who lost their lives in the crashes of the airships
Hindenburg, Macon (12 February 1935) and Akron
(4 April 1933).
Photograph was received from the Commanding Officer, NAS Lakehurst,
on 16 June 1937.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
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