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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 55468: Secretary of the Navy Claude Swanson presents commendations to USS Akron's survivors, 1933

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY AIRCRAFT -- 1922-1962 DESIGNATION SYSTEM --

USS Akron (ZRS-4), Airship 1931-1933 -- Events


This page features all the views we have of significant events in the career of USS Akron (ZRS-4).

For more views of USS Akron, see:

  • USS Akron (ZRS-4), Airship 1931-1933.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    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.

    Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    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.

    Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    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.

    Online Image: 50KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    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.

    Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    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.

    Online Image: 99KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     

    For more views of USS Akron, see:

  • USS Akron (ZRS-4), Airship 1931-1933.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 5 July 2002