Hindenburg Disaster
The Hindenburg over New York
Before
On Thursday, May 6, 1937, The Hindenburg was finishing its 10th safe crossing over the Atlantic Ocean. The Hindenburg was a passenger Airship and at the time, held 91 people, 36 of which were crew. The giant eased down in New Jersey near the mooring mast, steady butstarted to violently swerve left. The crew thought the little accident was over, but it wasn't.
Fire!
As the giant began tethering to the mast, a few passengers spotted flames on the side. The crew on the ground began to bring the Hindenburg down, but it was too late, the gas bag caught on fire.
The Hindenburg Aflame
Hindeburg
What do you think made the Hindenburg catch on fire?
Meanwhile
Meanwhile in the Airship, passengers were panicking, they jumped out or climbed down the ropes. The Hindenburg fell slowly but was on fire completly.
Why Did It Catch?
The Hindenburg was very faulty which caused it to catch on fire. One of the reasons was because it had inefective metal caging that got very hot. The other reason was static electricity. It could have zapped the casing and burned the gas bag.
Caging Bends Under Heat
Let's Review
- 1937 is year of crash
- killed 36 people
- struck the nation
- ended the airship era
Doomed!
After the Hindenburg hit the ground, the remaining passengers and crew were killed. The press interviewed survivors. The goverment decided that Airships would never be used as transport ever again.
Hindenburg Disaster Video
Filmed Falling
Some news teams actually recorded the falling and burning of the Hindenburg. It shocked the world that the Airship burned to the ground. Germany itself was dissapointed that their creation had failed but that didn't stop them from using Zeppelins in World War II. This video captures the Hindenburg catching fire and burning. Please enjoy! But don't actually enjoy it because it killed a lot of people.
Afterwords
The day the Giant fell will always be remembered. Shortly after, a memorial was built. You can even visit it at Lakehurst Naval Airstation in New Jersey.