Worse Than the Hindenburg: The Crash of the USS Akron | A Short Documentary | Fascinating Horror

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This short documentary tells the story of the USS Akron - an American airship which was lost in the worst airship accident of all time...
Fascinating Horror posts weekly videos covering the true stories behind some of history's greatest disasters. The channel is made possible by supporters on Patreon and RU-vid channel members. HUGE thanks to everyone who supports this channel!
*LINKS:* 🔗
► My other channel: www.youtube.com/@KristianCrow
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► Get in touch: hello@fascinatinghorror.co.uk
*CHAPTERS:* 🔖
► 00:00 - Intro
► 00:52 - History of US Navy Airships
► 04:41 - The Akron's First Accident
► 07:33 - The Akron's Last Accident
► 09:44 - The Aftermath
*MUSIC:* 🎵
► "Glass Pond" by Public Memory
► "In The Void" by Amulets
*SOURCES:* 📑
► "Airship’s 1932 visit to SD brought tragedy" published by San Diego Union Tribune, December 2005. Link: www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2009/12/05/airships-1932-visit-to-sd-brought-tragedy/
► "Forgotten airship disaster recalled 80 years later" published by USA Today, March 2013. Link: eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/31/forgotten-airship-crash/2040031/
► "The Loss of the Akron" by Lieutenant Commander CE Rosendahl, published by The US Naval Institute, July 1934. Link: www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1934/july/loss-akron
► "Akron (ZRS-4)" by Robert J Cressman, published by Naval History and Heritage Command, March 2020. Link: www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/a/akron.html
► "The Navy’s Short-Lived Plan to Dominate the Skies with Flying Aircraft Carriers" by Stephan Ruiz, published by Military.com, February 2024. Link: www.military.com/history/navys-short-lived-plan-dominate-skies-flying-aircraft-carriers.html
#documentary #history #navy #disaster #blimp #aviation

Опубликовано:

8 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 143

@akumati86 3 часа назад

Man there's always something magical about that opening piano. Thanks for keeping it all these years

@Hartley_Hare 2 часа назад

Agreed. My favourite sound on RU-vid. And on a nerdy note, I remember reading that after the Shenandoah crashed, some ghoulish but enterprising local businessman went out, cut strips from the skin of it and tailored them into raincoats called 'Shenandoah Slickers'.

@Zilkenian_Davenport 2 часа назад

There were still airships floating around when I was a kid, back in the 90's. It wasn't rare for me to see one or two every now and then. I was very confused when they stopped appearing.

@ScottishLeo Час назад

It IS magical, I know we're in for a well told story

@GarrettsGear Час назад

I find myself humming the tune a lot lol

@tmrwtoas Час назад

loooool, that opening piano gives very like... 2009 Animal Planet show covering cryptids across North America. 😭😭I kinda love it

@marvinidler2289 Час назад

The Hindenburg desaster has spectacular, iconic footage, quite rare for that time. That's why everyone still knows about it almost 90 years later, while accidents with more fatalities are forgotten.

@MangaBottle 44 минуты назад

I'd say that the casualties being mostly civilians is also a contributing factor, but I have to concede that having actual footage is the bigger influence.

@DylanDoesArt 3 часа назад

Old photos of airships hovering over cities are so surreal. Today, it feels like we're stuck in our technology, it makes me want to go back to a time of innovation and wonder. I probably wouldn't get on one of those airships though...

@AgrestisAnima 2 часа назад

I live in a place where an aiship is almost up every day. Tourists can make a tour around the Lake with it. It's pretty expensive though.

@mikezerker6925 2 часа назад

Yeah no! Look at airplane travel… safest mode of transportation with less than 1% chance of death yet still so many crashes and mishaps. These airships were falling out of the sky every other week!

@bobanob1967 Час назад

The irony of using helium and then drowning is tragic.

@superomegaprimemk2 Час назад

@@mikezerker6925 Regardless of this so called fact, I rather stay clear of any form of flight, because a lot of the time, when something major goes wrong, it tends to end up with people dying and personally, I want to live!

@austinpetemo Час назад

In Akron Ohio this is still a regular sight. Goodyear flies a large blimp when the weather is nice.

@animatronikki 3 часа назад

Been a fan of this channel for ages and ages now. Loved it since several years ago and the quality has never dropped since. Thanks for another great video on a topic I'd never heard of.

@bigsarge8795 3 часа назад

For some reason, i remember seeing footage of the Akron lifting off with those four crewmen. That was just horrible.

@misterflibble6601 Час назад

I've seen it too and it is horrifying, and one of those things I wish I had never seen.

@CarmineProspectus 3 часа назад

If they were to come out with a safe, modern Hindenburg style airship I would 100% go on a cruise. Would be so cool.

@stevetournay6103 2 часа назад

There have been recent experiments with large airships, but the intent is transport of cargo.

@berzerkbankie1342 2 часа назад

Everything is safe until it crashes

@misterflibble6601 Час назад

@@berzerkbankie1342 But some things are more likely to crash than others, e.g. a formula 1 race car vs the family minivan

@pippa3150 3 часа назад

I can't believe I never even knew about the Akron. Beautifully told story, thank you. 💝 Love from here in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

@Real_g.s. 2 часа назад

I love this channel. Your voice is so soothing and respectful given the subject matter. Thank you.

@the-chillian 2 часа назад

The home of the USS Macon, Hangar One at the airfield now named for Admiral Moffett in Mountain View, CA, is still there and a renovation project which started over a decade ago is nearly complete. There was a lot of toxic material used in its construction, making the renovation a challenge. It remains one of the largest freestanding structures in the world, measured by usable interior space.

@JimParshall 2 часа назад

When I was a kid in the 70s one of the first models I ever built was of the USS Akron. It hung in my bedroom for years. And ever since I was a kid I have loved those airships. I think there are some of the most beautiful things humanity has ever created.

@zeropoint216 37 минут назад

I agree! They are such a magical thing

@Fadzi2342 2 часа назад

Be it the USS Akron, the Hindenburg, the USS Vito Spatafore or the USS Dom Gamiello, New Jersey seems to be cursed place for giant airships.

@TJ-kh2zc 2 часа назад

I have a primordially smooth brain, every time he posts, I click, class at seven be damned, watching this at 3:am my time shout out viewers in the US West!!

@MrMemelord00 Час назад

That one dangling survivor is so lucky he was probably scared shitless

@seandelap8587 3 часа назад

Always look forward to a Tuesday morning video by FH

@nickkausch1107 3 часа назад

New Jersey hates airships.

@MarleyAndRoo 3 часа назад

Watching from Akron where they still build them!

@charcoaldreams5203 2 часа назад

Interesting documentary as always. Love this channel! Always recommend it to people. :)

@misterflibble6601 Час назад

I've heard of the USS Akron crash and the effect it has on the development of airships in the U.S. but this is the first time I've heard more people died from the crash than in the Hindenburg disaster. That fact doesn't seem to get covered as much (which is a shame ) but I guess the reason is because the Hindenburg was witnessed by many people and covered live on the air as it occurred and was captured on film

@Captain_Willard 2 часа назад

I remember being told that the Empire State building was built with a docking station for airships cause they thought they'd be so popular

@manuelacosta9463 2 часа назад

Miracoulsy there is one of those Sparrowhawks is still in existence. Only 7 were ever made and most interwar aircraft are long gone either to the scrapyards or the second world war. It's a true gem.

@all4one5 2 часа назад

Cool stuff

@derekelliott6098 2 часа назад

I grew up next county over in Portage, Ohio. My brother lives near 224 & 91 - right down the road from the hangar in Akron.

@tobygeorgeharribo Час назад

6:54 to be able to tie a line around yourself whilst hanging from it is an impressive feat of strength!

@DistantEarlyWarning 2 часа назад

Wow, both this and the Hindenburg happened in New Jersey 😮.

@wryalways985 51 минуту назад

As did Action Park and the Haunted Castle at Six Flags. Coincedence?

@rapidthrash1964 2 часа назад

11:19 actually given development over the past fifteen years, airships are likely going to make something of a comeback as freighters (faster than a boat but more efficient than an airplane)

@danielthoman7324 Час назад

Airships will not make a comeback. They are far too unstable and dangerous. Don't people ever learn from history?

@ausreflectindustries6107 3 часа назад

*G'Day from Australia everyone*

@ligmasack9038 Час назад

Her Hanger still stands today, and is actually used by GoodYear for their Blimp.

@aceckrot 42 минуты назад

I think that one of the main reasons (other than the iconic film footage) that the Hindenburg is much better known is that disasters involving civilian deaths tend to draw more attention than those involving servicemen and women. While most viewers of this channel have likely heard of the RMS Titanic, I would guess that far fewer know anything about the deadliest shipwreck of all time, the sinking of the M/V Wilhelm Gustloff. Also, airships and blimps are not the same thing. Airships were built with a rigid airframe, blimps are more like a balloon. In WWII, the Army used blimps, not airships.

@JasperNightlynx 3 часа назад

Never been this early! The Hindenburg disaster was always fascinating to me, nice to see you cover the USS Akron as well! Def not as well known haha. Edit-- Got too ahead of myself on the first comment lol

@bubzilla6137 3 часа назад

You must have commented before watching the video and either misread the title or didn't read it yet either. Haha! 🙂

@JasperNightlynx 3 часа назад

@@bubzilla6137 You got me there! I was way too excited that I got here so quick lol, edited my og comment to make more sense!

@bubzilla6137 Час назад

@@JasperNightlynx Don't worry, I'm rarely early on a video on any channel either so when I am, I get a dopamine rush and write anything that comes to my brain just to get a comment up. Lol! 🤣😂 I never comment "first" though even when I am because it's so overplayed. But I don't hate on those who do either. Honestly it's meaningless, but still kinda fun. 🙂🙂🙂

@JasperNightlynx Час назад

@@bubzilla6137 Haha, glad I'm not the only one that gets that flustered dopamine rush!

@KyleRDent 3 часа назад

"The planned spy basket was abandoned altogether." Us: The planned spy basket was abandoned.

@TXnine7nine Час назад

“It’s an entirely different kind of flying all together!” 😂

@stevenstice6683 Час назад

Surely you didn't get that from Airplane.

@effeilensucre 2 часа назад

I want a Monument Mythos version of this with the Rockefeller so bad now

@GraveDank 3 часа назад

2am video drop for me in California! Thanks for making the end of my day more entertaining!!

@cadillacdeville5828 3 часа назад

Fascinating Horror=❤❤❤

@CinnastixChick 3 часа назад

I only had to stay up till 2am to be this early to the video

@sharonsmith583 Час назад

What a truly fascinating episode!❤

@nancyaustin9516 Час назад

I was wondering the other day about such vehicles-we used to see them here in the Midwest in the 1960s and 70s (and possibly the early 80s?) on a somewhat regular basis. But they were rare enough even then that I remember my mom deciding to follow one on local roads for a while just for the fun of it-we’d been on our way to a nearby town but abandoned that destination for a little while. I miss seeing these wondrous blimps.

@anne-kristinrobertsson1561 2 часа назад

Thanks for this interesting documentary.

@MegaEmmanuel09 3 часа назад

Top of the feed at the top'o'th'mornin. What a perfect pairing

@debbieannsmith8962 Час назад

Love your channel. Keep up the amazing work. 😊

@thunderdeed1 Час назад

A story on the Shenandoah would be interesting. I’ve heard so many stories about people descending on the crash site and looting the dead not to mention stealing parts of the airship and the ship’s log. It might have answered questions about the events leading up to the crash.

@Bobafettuccine3541 2 часа назад

Airships just look 100% scketchy. Like something a mad scientist would dream up

@1is1 Час назад

So interesting! Love your videos!!

@robsquared2 Час назад

Mom can we stop and get Hindenburg? No, we have Hindenburg at home.

@ellenbryn Час назад

I think I spotted one of the Tustin airship hangars when you mentioned the Macon that was torn down only within the last few years.. It's a pity, because World Aeros was building their new Aeroscraft airship there until a piece of the ceiling came down and punctured it - those hangars needed renovation.

@giffordiv Час назад

Hanger 1 was destroyed in a fire in 2023. The investigation regarding the cause is still underway.

@zeropoint216 25 минут назад

I have such a soft spot for airships. I can't help wishing they were still around.

@fouresterofthetrees287 53 минуты назад

Airships are still being made in the US at T-Com in Elizabeth City NC. They are tethered with long lines that allow the ships to ascend several thousand feet. They are outfitted with cameras, FLIR, etc and are used by countries for reconnaissance. They are double walled and can withstand small arms fire.

@faenethlorhalien 2 часа назад

Maybe, but this one did not have a multicolor sea lion. Oh, the hue manatee.

@scottyerkes1867 Час назад

Interesting video. A tragic event.

@jimtaylor294 3 часа назад

1,200+ views in 15 minutes: now that's RU-vidring 😌👌

@Reneg3r Час назад

After his airship suffers damage, Air General yells several times, "Stabilize the airship!

@jamesmccrea4871 Час назад

You failed to mention the role of glimpse in anti-submarine patrol. One of their primary WWIi duties. And I'm kinda surprised at the lack of comments on this and the Macon being steampunk aircraft carriers.

@JedCurrie 2 часа назад

Good video thanks 👍

@megatronacepticon 2 часа назад

I wonder if the images of the dangling men are what inspired the climax of Kiki's Delivery Service. I could see MIyazaki coming in contact with the photos in his aircraft research binges.

@Drew-bc7zj 48 минут назад

Though the airships were quite massive, what truly impresses me is the size of their HANGARS.

@marvindebot3264 7 минут назад

The one in the video is still there, they have just about finished restoring it. It has so much volume it can develop its own weather system inside, just like the main building at Boeing.

@KirkWilliamsIsBroken 3 часа назад

You ever thought about doing a video on the R101 British Airship?

@drumdad54sdl47 3 часа назад

I believe he has.

@OrgaNik_Music 2 часа назад

Yep, it's already been done

@LilDitBit 2 часа назад

Thanks

@QT5656 2 часа назад

Great channel.

@projectartichoke 12 минут назад

The giant hanger is still in Akron, Ohio and it now supports a fleet of Goodyear blimps. We see them frequently in this area of Ohio. A few weeks ago, I saw three flying in a line while driving through Suffield, OH. Yes, airships are mostly obsolete. But, not these. They are used to get video of football games and other events among other things and must be profitable.

@Bintexas Час назад

There is a former dirigible base from WWII on the coast of Oregon. I had no idea they had been used to patrol our coastline for U-boats. Wild they were once stable enough to be aircraft carriers. Anyone know if the Goodyear blimp still flies? Used to see them in Dallas back in the 90 s.

@nuevoHughHoney 2 часа назад

Been a long time coming

@Zenithxblack 2 часа назад

I'm actually impressed by the proper pronunciation of Akron. ❤️ Some folks get it all wrong!

@reachandler3655 2 часа назад

I've seen footage of ground crew pulled into the air by an airship, for some to lose their grip and fall... I wonder if that was the Akron?

@Sparkbomber 2 часа назад

Well, airships today are safer. But TBH, commercial interests make any vehicle dangerous.

@peckishpagan 3 часа назад

7:31 as a native Ohioan, Akron is definitely cursed😂

@ladymctavish3299 Час назад

I hear there's a goblin there.

@relwalretep Час назад

Mate of mine is from there, and all I know about it from them is that yeah that place has to be cursed! Edit: but as my mate says, the curse gave us Devo, so... 🤷🏻‍♂️

@peckishpagan Час назад

@@relwalretep Devo actually got started in Kent, but Akron co-opting them is VERY Akron-like behavior 😂

@jackzimmer6553 17 минут назад

Some observations: 1) New Jersey eats air ships. 2) why did the USN think that building and crashing these huge airships repeatedly was a good idea? 3) Why was the same navy so callous to not learn from their mistakes and risk sailors lives during a period of peace after WWI?

@mmlrocks Час назад

7:23 the article says the USS Akron to off from San Diego, California on 11 May 1942. Is this a typo?

@DebTheDevastator Час назад

If you're wondering this is the incident that killed the USA's airship fleet.

@capt.bart.roberts4975 Час назад

I've seen a fully restored Handley Page heavy bombers of late WW1 up close. It kind of lumbers into the air. Doesn't look like it could fly, about as aerodynamic as a house brick. A pair of guys did the first non-stop Atlantic Crossing by plane in one, called rather poetically Mr. Alcock and Mr. Brown. Both wearing fine handle bar moustaches, I'm sure!

@GravesRWFiA 5 минут назад

In WW1 the briitish used small airships, basically a wingless airplane fuselage slung under a balloon-used to hunt for submarines, they had a longer range than heavier than air ships-perfect for patrols.

@AnimalsVehiclesAndMore 11 минут назад

It would be really neat if we built giant airships again. They would draw crowds wherever they go and will be able to carry an immense amount of people.

@maddiemccabe4658 3 часа назад

Good morning USA

@The_Defiant_One 3 часа назад

_"Oh, the humanity"_

@stuartgmk Час назад

😂😂😂

@brianaalee1 15 минут назад

And uss Akron was only 30m shorter than the RMS Titanic... To give a rough idea of the sheer magnitude of the airship!

@johanslabbert2869 Час назад

We have a freeway named after Admiral William Moffat here in my birth town of Port Elizabeth, ZA 🇿🇦 Although admittedly I’m not sure of the connection. Will probably have to Google that 🛸

@peregrinemccauley5010 2 часа назад

Turned out to be a complete basket case.

@eliscanfield3913 Час назад

If you're near the city of Akron, Ohio, US on a fine day, seeing a blimp is pretty common, tho

@AkumaSephitaro 2 часа назад

Is that who Moffett field is named after? They still have a dirigible hanger over there. (That I think they were supposed to dismantle but it's still there....)

@marvindebot3264 6 минут назад

Indeed it is, the hanger is almost finished being restored.

@thomaszinser8714 3 часа назад

This was one of the aircraft carrier airships, wasn't it?

@stevetournay6103 2 часа назад

Yes. (That's mentioned.)

@bennyboogenheimer4553 2 часа назад

USS Los Angeles was a rigid airship, designated ZR-3, which was built in 1923-1924 by the GOODYEAR- Zeppelin company in Friedrichshafen, Germany, as war reparations. Captained by John A. Snackenberg, and American, who was trained by a WWI German Zeppelin Captain, and crew. Flew from 1924 untill Roosevet ordered her scrapped in1939, WITH NO ACCEDENTS! Hint: If the Germans build the Best Ones of anything, Don't buy a Cheap English copy!

@seandelap8587 3 часа назад

I thought this was the Hindenburg when I first saw the thumbnail it doesn't seem to be as well known for whatever reason I didn't know about this before this video

@natty4316 Час назад

My mother was on the Akron, she died before I was born Rip mom

@pamfalge3328 19 минут назад

Yeah sure

@helxis 47 минут назад

Seems like airships might just be a bad idea?

@F40PH-2CAT 18 минут назад

R101 was also worse than the Hindenburg

@scummymummy911 Час назад

Scary music

@quietkilljoy 3 часа назад

It’s always a treat to be here this early 🤸‍♀️

@vustvaleo8068 2 часа назад

a flying aircraft carrier is the stuff of legends these days because the technology is lost.

@MotJ949 2 часа назад

The technology isn’t lost, the technology has been replaced by better technology. Back then airplanes didn’t have range, today, we can refuel them midair and keep them flying for hours or even days.

@fixedG Час назад

I'm a big believer that with modern materials and design, computerized control of flight systems and modern meteorology, you can make a safe hydrogen airship with incredible capabilities.