Hindenburg explodes in New Jersey - May 06, 1937 - HISTORY.com Hindenburg explodes in New Jersey Share this: Hindenburg explodes in New Jersey Author Hindenburg explodes in New Jersey URL Publisher A+E Networks On this day in 1937, the German airship Hindenburg, the largest dirigible ever built, explodes as it arrives in Lakehurst, New Jersey . Thirty-six people died in the fiery accident that has since become iconic, in part because of the live radio broadcast of the disaster. The dirigible was built to be the fastest, largest and most luxurious flying vessel of its time. It was more than 800 feet long, had a range of 8,000 miles, could carry 97 passengers and had a state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz engine. It was filled with 7 million cubic feet of hydrogen, even though helium was known to be far safer, because it made the flying ship more maneuverable. The Hindenburg had made 10 successful ocean crossings the year before and was held up by Germany’s Nazi government as a symbol of national pride.

Flying at a speed of 85 miles per hour, the Hindenburg was scheduled to arrive in New Jersey at 5 a.m. on May 6. However, weather conditions pushed the arrival back to the late afternoon and then rain further delayed the docking at Lakehurst. When the dirigible was finally cleared to dock, Captain Max Pruss brought the ship in too fast and had to order a reverse engine thrust. At 7:20 p.m., a gas leak was noticed. Within minutes, the tail blew up, sending flames hundreds of feet in the air and as far down as the ground below. A chain reaction caused the entire vessel to burn instantly. The nearly 1,000 spectators awaiting the Hindenburg‘s arrival felt the heat from a mile away. Some on the blimp attempted to jump for the landing cables at the docking station but most died when they missed. Others waited to jump until the blimp was closer to the ground as it fell. Those who were not critically injured from burns often suffered broken bones from the jump. Fifty-six people managed to survive. On WLS radio, announcer Herbert Morrison gave an unforgettably harrowing live account of the disaster, “Oh, oh, oh.

It’s burst into flames. Get out of the way, please . . . this is terrible . . . it’s burning, bursting into flames, and is falling . . . Oh! This is one of the worst . . . it’s a terrific sight . . .oh, the humanity.” More on This Topic 1000+ images about The Hindenburg on Pinterest | New jersey, Flight schedule and Daily news May 6, 1937: German airship "Hindenburg", the largest dirigible ever built, explodes as it arrives in Lakehurst, New Jersey See More The Hindenburg Tragedy: May 6, 1937 The Zeppelin Library On May 6, 1937, the German airship Hindenburg burst into flames 200 feet over its intended landing spot at New Jersey's Lakehurst Naval Air Station. Thirty-five people on board the flight were killed (13 passengers and 22 crewmen), along with one crewman on the ground. 803 Feet Long and 242 Tons The giant flying vessel measured 803.8 feet in length and weighed approximately 242 tons. Its mostly metal frame was filled with hydrogen.

It came complete with numerous sleeping quarters, a library, dining room, and a magnificent lounge, but still managed a top speed of just over 80 miles per hour. The zeppelin had just crossed the Atlantic Ocean after taking off from Frankfurt, Germany 2½ days prior on its first transatlantic voyage of the season. Thirty-six passengers and a crew of 61 were on board. Disaster Strikes As it reached its final destination in New Jersey, it hovered over its landing spot and was beginning to be pulled down to the ground by landing lines by over 200 crewmen when disaster struck. A small burst of flame started just forward of the upper fin, then blossomed into an inferno that quickly engulfed the Hindenburg's tail. "Oh, the Humanity!" Many jumped from the burning craft, landed on the soft sand of the naval base below, and lived to tell about it; others weren't so lucky. Herb Morrison, a reporter for WLS Radio in Chicago, happened to be covering the event and cried out the now famous words, "Oh, the Humanity!" The majestic ship turned into ball of flames on the ground in only 34 seconds. Unknown Cause The cause of the disaster is still uncertain.

At the time, many thought the ship had been hit by lightning . Many still believe that the highly flammable hydrogen was the cause. Some Germans even cried foul play, suspecting sabotage intended to sully the reputation of the Nazi regime. NASA research, however, has shown that the highly combustible varnish treating the fabric on the outside of the vessel most likely caused the tragedy. Hangar No. 1, Lakehurst Naval Air Station--Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms: A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary Hangar No. 1 Lakehurst Naval Air Station Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy Lakehurst Naval Air Station (Naval Air Technical Training Center) presently occupies 7,400 acres of flat lowlands just north of Lakehurst, New Jersey. Commissioned in 1921, Lakehurst Naval Air Station, became the hub of naval lighter-than-air activity. Interest in airships in the United States began early in the 20th century. The first practical craft was the California Arrow, built by Thomas S. Baldwin in 1904. The U.S. Army purchased the first Federal airship from Baldwin five years later.

Germany was the pioneer in the manufacture of rigid airships--airships that had the gas containers enclosed within compartments of a fixed fabric-covered framework--and during World War I maintained a fleet of Zeppelins, which it used primarily for patrolling and secondarily for bombing missions. The success of these airships prompted interest in the United States to develop them for coastal patrol to detect enemy submarines and mines and as a scouting arm for naval fleets. In 1921 the Navy established Lakehurst Naval Air Station to serve as its headquarters for lighter-than-air flight. The new base became the center for experimentation and development of rigid airships for strategic and commercial purposes as well as the control station for all Naval lighter-than-air flights. A K-type blimp landing at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, New Jersey Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy The first major facility at Lakehurst was Hangar No. 1, a gigantic structure built in 1921 to house the huge helium-filled dirigibles. Hangar No. 1 measures 961 feet long, 350 feet wide and 200 feet high. At each end are two pairs of massive steel doors, mounted on railroad tracks.

These double doors are structurally separate from the hangar itself. Each door weighs 1350 tons and is powered by two 20 horsepower motors, although provisions were made to open the doors manually, which required the assembled manpower of nine men. Inside it, Naval engineers assembled the first American-built rigid airship, the Shenandoah . On September 4, 1923, the ship made its maiden flight from Lakehurst. The Navy obtained its second rigid airship in 1924. Built in Germany and delivered to the United States as a war reparation payment, the Los Angeles shared Hangar No. 1 with the Shenandoah. The Navy used the dirigible extensively for experimental work on flight and mooring problems--it was the first American-owned airship developed to catch and release airplanes in flight. Lakehurst was also the home port for the Akron and the Macon. In addition to Hangar No. 1 there were five other hangars in two clusters, which have all since been converted for training and testing activities at the Naval Air Station. Hangar Nos. 2 and 3 housed blimps, Hangar No. 4 housed balloons and Hangars Nos.

5 and 6 housed either rigid air ships or blimps. The area between the two clusters of hangars was formerly used for mooring the airships and maneuvering them into the hangars. During the late 1920s, Lakehurst became internationally known as a port for commercial lighter-than-air flight. It was the only stopping place in the United States for German airships, and in 1929 it played host to the Graf Zeppelin, then in the process of making the first round-the-world trip. However, of the five rigid airships eventually owned by the United States after World War I, all but one--the German-built Los Angeles--crashed, and many federal officials were skeptical of the desirability of continuing the program. Nevertheless, the Navy and the general public still supported the venture, largely because of the success of the German Zeppelins. A change in public opinion occurred in 1937, when the German Zeppelin Hindenburg, the largest airship ever built, burst into flames at Lakehurst. Thirty-six passengers died and the crash of the Hindenburg marked the end of commercial airship travel and the end of experimentation with hydrogen as a lifting device.

With the onset of World War II, lighter-then-air activity increased at Lakehurst, as the Navy increased its number of non-rigid airships (from six to 125). Lakehurst became the headquarters of the Chief of Naval Airship Training and Experimentation and also of the Commander Fleet Airships, Atlantic. During World War II, the Navy used blimps for observational purposes and they played an important role in escorting coastal convoys and in protecting American ships from submarine attack. With the end of the war, naval airship activity decreased, only to be expanded upon at the outbreak of the Korean War and then reduced again. In 1961 the Navy halted all lighter-than-air activity and ordered the blimps deflated and stowed. Hangar No. 1 Lakehurst Naval Air Station, a National Historic Landmark , is located off of Rte. 547, north of Lakehurst, New Jersey. The hangar can be seen from the road, but access to the air station itself is restricted. Group tours can be requested in writing at least two months in advance--please visit the base's public affairs office website for further information.

1937 Hindenburg disaster - San Antonio Express-News 1937 Hindenburg disaster Photos from the ill-fated airship's crash and aftermath. By Compiled by Merrisa Brown, mySA.com on March 9, 2013 9:15 PM Photo: San Antonio Light Archives Image 1of/31 Close Image 1 of 31 FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1937: The German airship the Hindenburg catches fire, killing 35 people. The event is caught on film, and the phrase, "Oh, the humanity!" cried by radio announcer Herbert Morrison becomes a pop culture staple. Photo: San Antonio Light Archives FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1937: The German airship the Hindenburg catches... Photo-4093902.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 2 of 31 The German zeppelin Hindenburg floats over Manhattan Island in New York City on May 6, 1937. The German zeppelin Hindenburg floats over Manhattan Island in New York City on May 6, 1937.

Photo: Associated Press File Photo The German zeppelin Hindenburg floats over Manhattan Island in New... Photo-4305522.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 3 of 31 The German zeppelin Hindenburg flies over Manhattan on May 6, 1937. A few hours later, the ship burst into flames in an attempt to land at Lakehurst, N.J. The German zeppelin Hindenburg flies over Manhattan on May 6, 1937. A few hours later, the ship burst into flames in an attempt to land at Lakehurst, N.J. Photo: Associated Press File Photo The German zeppelin Hindenburg flies over Manhattan on May 6, 1937.... Photo-4305515.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 4 of 31 The German dirigible Hindenburg floats over New York City on the afternoon of May 6, 1937 as it heads for Lakehurst, N.J. to complete the 21st crossing from Germany to the United States.

The German dirigible Hindenburg floats over New York City on the afternoon of May 6, 1937 as it heads for Lakehurst, N.J. to complete the 21st crossing from Germany to the United States. Photo: Associated Press File Photo The German dirigible Hindenburg floats over New York City on the... Photo-4305507.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 5 of 31 The Hindenburg airship, maneuvers to be moored at the mast on the Navy Field, Lakehurst, N.J., at the end of an Atlantic flight, May 6,1937. The Hindenburg airship, maneuvers to be moored at the mast on the Navy Field, Lakehurst, N.J., at the end of an Atlantic flight, May 6,1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo The Hindenburg airship, maneuvers to be moored at the mast on the...

Photo-4305485.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 6 of 31 The German zeppelin Hindenburg bursts into flames as it noses toward the mooring post at the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, N.J. on May 6, 1937. The German zeppelin Hindenburg bursts into flames as it noses toward the mooring post at the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, N.J. on May 6, 1937. Photo: MURRAY BECKER, Associated Press File Photo The German zeppelin Hindenburg bursts into flames as it noses... Photo-4305510.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 7 of 31 The Hindenburg explodes as it approaches the mooring mast at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, N.J., on May 6, 1937. The Hindenburg explodes as it approaches the mooring mast at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, N.J., on May 6, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo The Hindenburg explodes as it approaches the mooring mast at...

Photo-4305528.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 8 of 31 The German dirigible Hindenburg crashes to earth, tail first, in flaming ruins after exploding on May 6, 1937, at the U.S. Naval Station in Lakehurst, N.J. The German dirigible Hindenburg crashes to earth, tail first, in flaming ruins after exploding on May 6, 1937, at the U.S. Naval Station in Lakehurst, N.J. Photo: Associated Press File Photo The German dirigible Hindenburg crashes to earth, tail first, in... Photo-4305491.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 9 of 31 The German dirigible Hindenburg crashes to earth, tail first, in flaming ruins after exploding on May 6, 1937, at the U.S. Naval Station in Lakehurst, N.J. The 1920s and 1930s were the golden age of dirigibles which crossed the Atlantic Ocean in about three days — faster than a ship.

The Hindenburg was the largest airship ever built at 804 feet long and flew up to 85 miles per hour while held aloft by hydrogen, which was highly flammable. The disaster, which killed 36 people after a 60-hour transatlantic flight from Germany, ended regular passenger service by the lighter-than-air airships. Photo: Associated Press File Photo The German dirigible Hindenburg crashes to earth, tail first, in... Photo-4305513.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 10 of 31 The Hindenburg zeppelin hits the ground after an explosion in mid-air destroyed the hydrogen-inflated German airship over Lakehurst, N.J., on May 6, 1937. The crew was preparing to land at the U.S. Naval base station when the explosion occured. less The Hindenburg zeppelin hits the ground after an explosion in mid-air destroyed the hydrogen-inflated German airship over Lakehurst, N.J., on May 6, 1937. The crew was preparing to land at the U.S. Naval base ...

more Photo: MURRAY BECKER, Associated Press File Photo The Hindenburg zeppelin hits the ground after an explosion in... Photo-4305512.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 11 of 31 The Hindenburg zeppelin burns after it exploded prior to landing on the U.S. Naval air station field in Lakehurst, N.J. on May 6, 1937. The Hindenburg zeppelin burns after it exploded prior to landing on the U.S. Naval air station field in Lakehurst, N.J. on May 6, 1937. Photo: MURRAY BECKER, Associated Press File Photo The Hindenburg zeppelin burns after it exploded prior to landing on... Photo-4305516.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 12 of 31 The blazing inferno that was the German airship Hindenburg is reduced to ruins as a survivor, lower right hand corner, runs to safety, May 6, 1937, after it exploded on mooring at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey.

Rescuers, left and center, rush forward to pull other passenger and crew away from the fiery wreckage. less The blazing inferno that was the German airship Hindenburg is reduced to ruins as a survivor, lower right hand corner, runs to safety, May 6, 1937, after it exploded on mooring at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in ... more Photo: Associated Press File Photo The blazing inferno that was the German airship Hindenburg is... Photo-4305506.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 13 of 31 Black smoke rises from the skeleton of the burning Hindenburg airship at Lakehurst, N.J., May 6, 1937. Black smoke rises from the skeleton of the burning Hindenburg airship at Lakehurst, N.J., May 6, 1937. Photo: MURRAY BECKER, Associated Press File Photo Black smoke rises from the skeleton of the burning Hindenburg...

Photo-4305496.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 14 of 31 Clouds of smoke rise from the twisted metal frame of the German airship Hindenburg as rescue workers arrive to look for possible survivors, May 6, 1937, in Lakehurst, N.J. Clouds of smoke rise from the twisted metal frame of the German airship Hindenburg as rescue workers arrive to look for possible survivors, May 6, 1937, in Lakehurst, N.J. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Clouds of smoke rise from the twisted metal frame of the German... Photo-4305488.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 15 of 31 The Hindenburg zeppelin burns after it exploded during the docking procedure at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, N.J., on May 6, 1937. The Hindenburg zeppelin burns after it exploded during the docking procedure at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, N.J., on May 6, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo The Hindenburg zeppelin burns after it exploded during the docking...

Photo-4305498.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 16 of 31 An unidentified woman survivor is being led from the scene of the Hindenburg disaster at the U.S. Naval Station in Lakehurst, N.J., May 6, 1937. An unidentified woman survivor is being led from the scene of the Hindenburg disaster at the U.S. Naval Station in Lakehurst, N.J., May 6, 1937. Photo: MURRAY BECKER, Associated Press File Photo An unidentified woman survivor is being led from the scene of the... Photo-4305509.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 17 of 31 A victim of the Hindenburg disaster is taken away in a stretcher in the aftermath of the airship crash in Lakehurst, N.J., May 6, 1937. A victim of the Hindenburg disaster is taken away in a stretcher in the aftermath of the airship crash in Lakehurst, N.J., May 6, 1937.

Photo: MURRAY BECKER, Associated Press File Photo A victim of the Hindenburg disaster is taken away in a stretcher... Photo-4305490.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 18 of 31 Customs officers search through baggage items salvaged in the Hindenburg explosion in Lakehurst, N.J., May 6, 1937. Customs officers search through baggage items salvaged in the Hindenburg explosion in Lakehurst, N.J., May 6, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Customs officers search through baggage items salvaged in the... Photo-4305514.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 19 of 31 An unidentified survivor of the airship Hindenburg disaster, along with a nurse and unidentified emergency service workers are seen in an ambulance as the patient is transferred from Paul Kimball Hospital in Lakewood, N.J. to another area hospital, May 7, 1937.

less An unidentified survivor of the airship Hindenburg disaster, along with a nurse and unidentified emergency service workers are seen in an ambulance as the patient is transferred from Paul Kimball Hospital in ... more Photo: Associated Press File Photo An unidentified survivor of the airship Hindenburg disaster, along... Photo-4305511.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 20 of 31 Major Hans Hugo Witt of the German Luftwaffe, who was severely burned in the Hindenburg disaster, is seen as he is transferred from Paul Kimball Hospital in Lakewood, N.J. to another area hospital, May 7, 1937. Major Hans Hugo Witt of the German Luftwaffe, who was severely burned in the Hindenburg disaster, is seen as he is transferred from Paul Kimball Hospital in Lakewood, N.J. to another area hospital, May 7, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Major Hans Hugo Witt of the German Luftwaffe, who was severely...

Photo-4305486.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 21 of 31 Adolf Fisher, a mechanic of the German airship Hindenburg, is transferred from Paul Kimball Hospital in Lakewood, N.J., to an ambulance going to another area hospital, May 7, 1937. Adolf Fisher, a mechanic of the German airship Hindenburg, is transferred from Paul Kimball Hospital in Lakewood, N.J., to an ambulance going to another area hospital, May 7, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Adolf Fisher, a mechanic of the German airship Hindenburg, is... Photo-4305499.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 22 of 31 Horribly burned when his ship went up in flames, Capt. Max Pruss (seen before the accident at right) of the ill-fated airship Hindenburg, is shown in an ambulance en route to a New York hospital, May 7, 1937. Horribly burned when his ship went up in flames, Capt.

Max Pruss (seen before the accident at right) of the ill-fated airship Hindenburg, is shown in an ambulance en route to a New York hospital, May 7, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Horribly burned when his ship went up in flames, Capt. Max Pruss... Photo-4305432.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 23 of 31 Ambulances line up to transfer hospitalized victims of the Hindenburg disaster to other area hospitals from Paul Kimball Hospital, Lakewood, N.J., May 7, 1937. Ambulances line up to transfer hospitalized victims of the Hindenburg disaster to other area hospitals from Paul Kimball Hospital, Lakewood, N.J., May 7, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Ambulances line up to transfer hospitalized victims of the... Photo-4305495.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 24 of 31 Newsmen photograph an unidentified survivor of the German airship Hindenburg disaster as they are transferred from Paul Kimball Hospital in Lakewood, N.J.

to other area hospitals, May 7, 1937. Newsmen photograph an unidentified survivor of the German airship Hindenburg disaster as they are transferred from Paul Kimball Hospital in Lakewood, N.J. to other area hospitals, May 7, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Newsmen photograph an unidentified survivor of the German airship... Photo-4305503.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 25 of 31 Relatives and friends of persons listed as missing in the Hindenburg disaster check the bulletin board on which the names of survivors are being added in Lakehurst, N.J., May 7, 1937. Relatives and friends of persons listed as missing in the Hindenburg disaster check the bulletin board on which the names of survivors are being added in Lakehurst, N.J., May 7, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Relatives and friends of persons listed as missing in the...

Photo-4305493.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 26 of 31 Aerial view of all that remains of the ill-fated airship Hindenburg showing the crowd and the mooring mast in rear at Lakehurst, N.J., on May 7, 1937. Aerial view of all that remains of the ill-fated airship Hindenburg showing the crowd and the mooring mast in rear at Lakehurst, N.J., on May 7, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Aerial view of all that remains of the ill-fated airship... Photo-4305484.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 27 of 31 This is an aerial photo of the wreckage of the German Hindenburg airship at Lakehurst, N.J. on May 7, 1937. This is an aerial photo of the wreckage of the German Hindenburg airship at Lakehurst, N.J. on May 7, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo This is an aerial photo of the wreckage of the German Hindenburg...

Photo-4305508.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 28 of 31 Two men inspect the twisted metal framework of the crashed dirigible Hindenburg at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, N.J., May 1937. Two men inspect the twisted metal framework of the crashed dirigible Hindenburg at the U.S. Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, N.J., May 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Two men inspect the twisted metal framework of the crashed... Photo-4305487.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 29 of 31 Members of the U.S. Navy Board of Inquiry inspect the wreckage of the German zeppelin Hindenburg on the field of the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, May 8, 1937. Members of the U.S. Navy Board of Inquiry inspect the wreckage of the German zeppelin Hindenburg on the field of the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, May 8, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo Members of the U.S.

Navy Board of Inquiry inspect the wreckage of... Photo-4305501.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 30 of 31 The remains of the wreckage of the German Zeppelin Hindenburg are removed from the U.S. Naval field in Lakehurst, N.J., on May 15, 1937. The airship exploded mid-air prior to landing May 6. The remains of the wreckage of the German Zeppelin Hindenburg are removed from the U.S. Naval field in Lakehurst, N.J., on May 15, 1937. The airship exploded mid-air prior to landing May 6. Photo: MURRAY BECKER, Associated Press File Photo The remains of the wreckage of the German Zeppelin Hindenburg are...

Photo-4305504.58169 - San Antonio Express-News Image 31 of 31 Outbrain AR 6 Item-38489.58169 - San Antonio Express-News 1937 Hindenburg disaster 1000+ images about The Hindenburg on Pinterest | Luftwaffe, Explosions and The hanger Forward Horribly burned when his ship went up in flames, Capt. Max Pruss (seen before the accident at right) of the ill-fated airship Hindenburg, is shown in an ambulance en route to a New York hospital, May 7, 1937. Photo: Associated Press File Photo See More Send this Page to a Friend! ON MAY 6, 1937, the German airship Hindenburg burst into flames 200 feet over its intended landing spot at New Jersey's Lakehurst Naval Air Station. Thirty-five people on board the flight were killed (13 passengers and 22 crewmen), along with one crewman on the ground.

803 Feet Long and 242 Tons The giant flying vessel measured 803.8 feet in length and weighed approximately 242 tons. Its mostly metal frame was filled with hydrogen. It came complete with numerous sleeping quarters, a library, dining room, and a magnificent lounge, but still managed a top speed of just over 80 miles per hour. The zeppelin had just crossed the Atlantic Ocean after taking off from Frankfurt, Germany 2½ days prior on its first transatlantic voyage of the season. Thirty-six passengers and a crew of 61 were on board. Disaster Strikes As it reached its final destination in New Jersey, it hovered over its landing spot and was beginning to be pulled down to the ground by landing lines by over 200 crewmen when disaster struck. A small burst of flame started just forward of the upper fin, then blossomed into an inferno that quickly engulfed the Hindenburg's tail. RELATED LINKS The Zeppelin Library "Oh, the Humanity!" Many jumped from the burning craft, landed on the soft sand of the naval base below, and lived to tell about it; others weren't so lucky.

Herb Morrison, a reporter for WLS Radio in Chicago, happened to be covering the event and cried out the now famous words, "Oh, the Humanity!" The majestic ship turned into ball of flames on the ground in only 34 seconds. Unknown Cause The cause of the disaster is still uncertain. At the time, many thought the ship had been hit by lightning . Many still believe that the highly flammable hydrogen was the cause. Some Germans even cried foul play, suspecting sabotage intended to sully the reputation of the Nazi regime. NASA research, however, has shown that the highly combustible varnish treating the fabric on the outside of the vessel most likely caused the tragedy.

Werner Franz, last surviving crew member of 1937 Hindenburg airship crash dies aged 92 | Daily Mail Online Last surviving crew member of 1937 Hindenburg airship crash dies aged 92 Werner Franz was a 14-year-old cabin boy when the vast airship crashed Jumped from the blazing craft and ran into the wind to escape the flames Disaster happened in New Jersey Lakehurst Naval Air Station 77 years ago Crash left 36 people dead, including 22 crew members and 13 passengers Widow and friend confirmed Mr Franz died from heart failure in Frankfurt Believed to be three more living survivors - two passengers and a member of the ground crew Crash Site of the Hindenburg, Lakehurst, New Jersey Memorial marks the exact crash spot. Crash Site of the Hindenburg Lakehurst, New Jersey In the long, long list of 20th century disasters, the explosion and crash of the Zeppelin Hindenburg at least provided a never-before-witnessed visual spectacle. Actually, "explosion" is an inaccurate word to describe it, as we were told by our tour guide at the crash site.

"If it had exploded," he said, sweeping his arm across an empty field, old hangars in the distance, "none of this would be here." The Hindenburg was the pride of the Nazi airship fleet, the biggest aircraft ever built: 804 feet long, filled with over seven million cubic feet of combustible hydrogen. On May 6, 1937, it was landing at a Navy base in Lakehurst, New Jersey -- the nearest place to Manhattan that was big and empty enough to handle an immense, flying bomb -- when it burst into flames and crashed. Thirty-six people died. So did the popularity of zeppelins as transatlantic transit. The site where the Hindenburg crashed is still big and empty, a windswept expanse of crumbled asphalt and occasional scrubby weeds. And it's still part of an active Navy base, which means that everyone who wants a tour has to be screened weeks in advance. The flat, infertile airfield was originally sand, which cushioned the fall of some people who jumped from the burning Zeppelin.

The exact spot of the crash is marked by a metal wind-turned silhouette of the Hindenburg atop a pole, and an anchor-chain outline of the Zeppelin on the ground. Don, our retired Navy guide, was full of colorful stories about the airship and its unlucky human cargo. "Captain Pruss got so badly burnt," he said, "it burnt off his nose. He used to take his fake nose off and set it next to the bed at night." Carl shows us Hindenburg dinnerware. After posing for photos at the site, next stop for our tour group was the Airship Information Center, a little museum packed with artifacts and memorabilia. A 12-foot-long model of the Hindenburg hangs from the ceiling, built by a local man with a framework of 6,000 fudgesicle sticks. "Took him three years," said our new tour guide, Carl, a very knowledgeable volunteer from the town historical society. Carl pointed out items salvaged from the wreck: a drinking cup, a fork with the Hindenburg logo, and a section of girder -- the largest piece of the doomed airship that survived -- which Carl guessed was worth close to $100,000.

"But we wouldn't sell anything," he said. While most items are behind glass, there are intriguing piles of loose artifacts in corners -- either they're less important, or waiting to be cataloged. It's a short walk from the museum into giant Hangar 1, which occasionally sheltered the Hindenburg when it wasn't flying or crashing. "They didn't like to bring it inside," said Carl, readying another cataclysmic comparison. "You don't want seven million cubic feet of hydrogen in here. If anything happened, there wouldn't be any Lakehurst left." Replica gondola from 1975 Hindenburg movie. The hangar, bigger than the airship, now encloses an immense space of empty air, as well as a life-size replica of the Hindenburg's control car (made for a 1975 Hollwyood movie about the Hindenburg that starred George C. Scott) and a neon and metal blimp sign that once stood outside of the defunct Lakehurst Motel . There's so much room in the hangar that it also contains attractions that have nothing to do with doomed airships.

Carl walked us back to the Ready Room and the POW Joint Military Room, two small museums packed with military mementos, uniforms, patches, weapons, and thousands of home-made models of planes and boats. There's simply too much to see, but we noticed the diving helmet and suit worn by Cuba Gooding Jr. in the film Men Of Honor, and a tribute to Monsignor Paul Bradley of Brooklyn, "the fighting padre of Iwo Jima." Further back, the "Salute to the Hanoi Hilton" exhibit featured custom-made dummies modeling pajama-like POW uniforms and the phony nice clothes that POWs wore when they were sent home "to make it look like they were on vacation," according to Carl.

The Vietnamese guards, Carl said, would "put bugs in their food; they had to dig the bugs out." Rat droppings were put in the POWs' cigarettes, "like a form of torture." Carl pointed to a pair of crutches used by one mistreated prisoner who "required 51 different operations to make him even walk a little bit." We were beginning to lose track of the calamities commemorated at Lakehurst, so Carl walked us back to our car through the hangar, past a full-size replica aircraft carrier landing deck, which is used to train sailors who work the catapults and arresting gear. We asked Carl if the hangar doors could be opened for a photo, but he shook his head dismissively. "Each of those doors weighs 1,350 tons," he said. "And at wind speeds over 20 mph, each door becomes a giant sail...." All right, all right! Someone else will have to be responsible for that catastrophe, the day that a destroyer-sized door flies off of its hinges and causes another memorable crash at Lakehurst. Crash Site of the Hindenburg Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station Address:

Question: What was the name of the airship that burst into flames at Lakenhurst Naval Station, New Jersey in 1937?
Answer: Hindenburg