« Back to Blog

Navy's First Rigid Airship Crashes 1921

Waring Hills Aug 24, 2011

Makes its first trial flight, at Cardington, England, 23 June 1921. Note that the airship already wears U.S. markings.(Photo Naval History and Heritage Command)

After World War I, the United States Navy decided to add rigid airships to its fleet and originally pursued acquiring German Zeppelins as part of the wartime reparations. However, all Zeppelins were deliberately destroyed by their crews in 1919.

Due to the new postwar economy, the Royal Navy cancelled the building of its R-38 airship series which were designed to be capable of six days of patrol, at ranges of up to 300 miles from home base, and at altitudes of up to 22,000 ft.  The US Navy expressed an interest in the R-38 and an agreement was reached in October 1919 for purchase at $2,000,000. The original design changed to include a requirement for mast mooring gear, which added a ton to the bow and required ballast at the rear to counterbalance the airship. This modification along with the weight savings in the design made an airship that was weak longitudinally.

Naval airmen are:left to right, kneeling: S.H. Knight, F.M. Gorey and A.C. Carlson. left to right, standing: W.G. Steele, F.L. Stevens, W.A. Russell and R.N. Coons. Chief Machinist's Mates W.J. Steele and R.M. Coons were among those who lost their lives in the crash of R-38 (Photo Naval History and Heritage Command).

The R-38 made its first flight on 23 June 1921. After modifications to the rudder and elevators, a second test flight flew on 17 July and testing of the re-balanced control surfaces resulted in severe pitching. Examination of the airship after the flight revealed damage to several of the girders. These were replaced and others were strengthened but there were increasing doubts being expressed about the design.

On 23 August in the early morning, R-38 took off for her fourth flightheading to RNAS Pulham, Norfolk, for testing of the mast mooring, a facility lacking at Howden. Low clouds at Pulham prevented mooring and R-38 flew out to sea to run some high-speed tests before returning to base at Howden. The speed runs proved successful. Next the airship commander decided to try some low altitude rudder tests to simulate the effects of the rough weather that could be expected on the Atlantic crossing. At 17:37, fifteen degrees of rudder was applied over the city of Hull. Eye witnesses reported seeing creases down the envelope and then both ends drooped. A fire started in the bow and then a large explosion occurred which broke windows over a large area. The airship failed structurally and fell into the shallow waters of the Humber estuary.  Twenty-eight of the thirty-two Britons in the crew were killed including Air Commodore Maitland, RAF. Sixteen U.S. Navy officers and men were killed, essentially wiping out the Navy’s small cadre of experienced rigid airship personnel (Polar explorer and naval aviator Richard Byrd had requested to be part of the R-38’s crew, but was turned down). The only American to survive was Rigger Norman C. Walker. The five crew members who survived were in the tail section.

(Photo Naval History and Heritage Command)

 

(Photo Naval History and Heritage Command)

 

(Photo Naval History and Heritage Command)

« Previous Post

Project Stormfury 1963

Next Post »

Video Thursday - Heavy Weather

One thought on “Navy's First Rigid Airship Crashes 1921

  1. Linda Carrillo says:

    I have unpublished photos of the Navy airship from 8/23/1921 – the day before the crash, plus others, if anyone is interested, for the sake of history. (310) 592-9213

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Active Duty / Retired Military (ID required)
  • $19
  • Buy Now
  • Active Duty Military In Uniform
  • Free
  • In Person
  • Veterans / Teachers / First Responders
  • $21
  • Buy Now

COVID-19 Notice

Due to health safety measures related to COVID-19, structured, in-person education programs have been suspended. Please consider booking a guided or self-guided tour for your group.

More Information

COVID-19 Notice

Due to health safety measures related to COVID-19, our overnight camping program has been suspended. Please consider joining our exclusive list to be among the first to learn when the program relaunches.

Interested in booking a day group visit to see our museum? Discounted rates for 10+ people.

More Information