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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 92612: Damaged nose of USS Shenandoah after the storm of 16 January 1924

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- The 1920s -- 1924

Storm Damage to USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), 16 January 1924

Beginning in mid-November 1923, USS Shenandoah conducted trials with Naval Air Station Lakehurst's new mooring mast, which permitted airships to operate for prolonged periods away from a hangar. This would be vital to the success of a planned demonstration flight to the Arctic. While attached to the mast, an airship had to be constantly "flown" and, as events would soon demonstrate, she could be vulnerable to sudden gusts of wind.

On 16 January 1924 Shenandoah was moored to Lakehurst's mast for a test of her ability to endure bad weather. As wind conditions worsened in the early evening it was decided to leave the mast and ride out the storm in flight. However, before this could be done the airship was hit by a 78 mile-per-hour blast of wind, which tore her away from her mooring. Though her bow and upper fin were seriously damaged, and two cells of helium gas were ripped open, Shenandoah's on-duty crew were able to regain control, make emergency repairs and keep their ship aloft. After a dramatic nine-hour flight, the crippled dirigible returned to Lakehurst and landed in the early hours of 17 January.

Four months of repair and overhaul work followed, during which previously-planned modifications were made to strengthen Shenandoah's structure, remove the engine in her control car, improve her radio communications and install a water recovery device that would allow her to manufacture her own water ballast. The masthead design was also changed to ensure that its attachment point would fail before forces were powerful enough to damage an airship. However, problems with tall mooring masts continued, ultimately leading to the adoption of "stub" masts that reduced the risks associated with sudden atmospheric changes.

This page features all the views we have related to the storm damage sustained by USS Shenandoah (ZR-1) on 16 January 1924

For other images related to USS Shenandoah, see:

  • USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), Airship 1923-1925.


    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 92612

    USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)


    Inside the airship hangar at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, showing damage to her nose received during the storm of 16 January 1924, when she was torn away from the station's mooring mast by a strong gust of wind.
    Photographed by Clements.

    Courtesy of Mrs. Barnes.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 105KB; 690 x 620 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 92613

    USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)


    Crew of the airship on 16 January 1924, when she was torn away from her mooring mast during a night-time storm.
    Photographed by Clements, inside the airship hangar at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey.

    Courtesy of Mrs. Barnes.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 66KB; 740 x 375 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82258

    USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)


    Undergoing repairs inside the airship hangar at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, 1924. She had been damaged when a storm tore her from the station's mooring mast on 16 January 1924.
    This photograph, taken by Clements, shows her forward framework and arrangement of gas cells, and fuel tanks in her lower hull, amidships.
    Note automobiles parked inside the hangar.

    Collection of Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, USN, 1973.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 410 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82260

    USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)


    Receives repairs to her damaged nose structure, inside the airship hangar at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, 1924. She had been damaged when a storm tore her from the station's mooring mast on 16 January 1924.
    This photograph, taken by Clements, shows one of her gas cells, partially deflated.

    Collection of Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, USN, 1973.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 112KB; 740 x 415 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82259

    USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)


    Receives repairs to her upper fin, inside the airship hangar at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, 1924. She had been damaged when a storm tore her from the station's mooring mast on 16 January 1924.
    Photographed by Clements.
    Note the fin's tattered fabric covering.

    Collection of Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, USN, 1973.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 122KB; 690 x 635 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 82261

    USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)


    View of her port side midships area, taken inside the airship hangar at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, while she was undergoing repairs in 1924. Shenandoah had been damaged when a storm tore her from the station's mooring mast on 16 January 1924.
    This photograph, taken by Clements, shows some of her gas cells with their retaining netting, and three of her engine cars.

    Collection of Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, USN, 1973.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 410 pixels

     

    For other images related to USS Shenandoah, see:

  • USS Shenandoah (ZR-1), Airship 1923-1925.


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


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    Page made 2 December 2002