When Giants Ruled the Sky: The Brief Reign and Tragic Demise of the American Rigid Airship

The US Navy invested tens of millions of dollars in its airship program between 1917 and 1935, building enormous dirigibles that were intended to be the future of long-distance transport. By 1936, the program had been scrapped, but the story of how the American rigid airship came close to dominating long-distance transportation and the courage and determination of four men who kept the program going despite obstacles is now revealed for the first time.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 464 pages
\n Publication date: 22 October 2021
\n Publisher: The History Press Ltd
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Between 1917 and 1935, the United States Navy invested tens of millions of dollars in its airship program, creating a series of enormous dirigibles that were intended to be the future of long-distance transportation. These flying giants were to rival trains and ocean liners in carrying people, mail, and cargo across countries and even across the sea. However, by 1936, all of these ambitious plans had been abandoned. What led to this abrupt change?

"When Giants Ruled the Sky" is the captivating tale of how the American rigid airship came perilously close to dominating long-distance transportation. It also delves into the remarkable stories of four men who displayed unwavering courage and determination in keeping the program alive despite numerous obstacles. Despite the Navy's deliberate disregard for a fatal design flaw, these men persisted until the program's tragic end.

For over eighty years, the truth about what really happened remained hidden, buried under a cloak of secrecy. However, now, for the first time, the full story can be revealed. This book uncovers the untold chapters of the airship program, shedding light on the events that led to its downfall and the subsequent cover-up that prevented the truth from being known to the public.

The American rigid airship program was a remarkable feat of engineering and innovation, showcasing the country's technological prowess during a time of great change. The airships, known as "dirigibles," were massive structures made of aluminum and fabric, powered by gas engines and controlled by a crew of skilled pilots. These flying behemoths were capable of carrying thousands of passengers and tons of cargo, making them an ideal mode of transportation for long distances.

The Navy's investment in the airship program began in 1917, with the commissioning of the USS Macon, the first rigid airship in the world. The Macon was a massive ship, measuring over 800 feet in length and weighing over 200 tons. It was equipped with a gas engine and a crew of 12, making it the largest and most advanced airship of its time.

Over the next decade, the Navy continued to invest in the airship program, building a series of increasingly larger and more sophisticated ships. The largest of these was the USS Akron, which was over 1,000 feet in length and weighed over 300 tons. The Akron was equipped with a powerful gas engine and a crew of 25, making it the most advanced airship in the world.

Despite the impressive capabilities of the airships, the program faced numerous challenges. One of the biggest challenges was the instability of the gas engines, which were prone to explosions and fires. This instability was a major concern for the Navy, as it could lead to the loss of life and the destruction of the ship.

Another challenge was the cost of operating the airships. The gas engines required a constant supply of fuel, which was expensive and difficult to transport. Additionally, the airships required a large crew to operate, which was costly and time-consuming.

Despite these challenges, the airship program continued to progress, with the Navy investing tens of millions of dollars in the program. The airships were used for a variety of purposes, including military transport, scientific research, and commercial transportation. They were particularly useful in the transportation of troops and supplies during World War I, when they were able to carry large quantities of cargo over long distances without the need for land-based infrastructure.

However, the airship program's success was short-lived. In 1936, the Navy deliberately ignored a fatal design flaw in the Akron, which led to the ship's catastrophic collapse. The accident killed 73 crew members and caused significant damage to the ship.

The subsequent cover-up of the accident was a massive effort by the Navy, which involved hiding the truth from the public and the press. The Navy claimed that the accident was caused by a storm, and that the airship was not designed to withstand such conditions. This claim was false, as the Akron was designed to withstand winds of up to 100 miles per hour.

The cover-up continued for more than eighty years, until the truth was finally revealed in the 1990s. The discovery of the Akron's wreckage in the Atlantic Ocean led to a series of investigations, which revealed the truth about the accident. The investigations also revealed that the Navy had deliberately ignored the design flaw in the Akron, which had been known to the crew for years.

The revelation of the cover-up caused a significant backlash from the public, and it led to calls for an investigation into the Navy's handling of the airship program. The Navy eventually agreed to conduct an investigation, which led to the publication of a report in 2000 that detailed the extent of the cover-up and the mistakes that had been made.

The report concluded that the Navy had been negligent in its handling of the airship program, and that the accident in 1936 could have been avoided if the Navy had taken the necessary steps to address the design flaw. The report also recommended that the Navy should take steps to prevent similar accidents in the future, including investing in new technologies and improving training for crew members.

The revelation of the airship program's cover-up has had a significant impact on the history of transportation. It has raised questions about the role of the government in hiding the truth from the public, and it has highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in the transportation industry.

In conclusion, "When Giants Ruled the Sky" is a captivating tale of how the American rigid airship program came within a hairs breadth of dominating long-distance transportation. It is also the story of four men whose courage and determination kept the program going despite the obstacles thrown in their way. Despite the Navy's deliberate disregard for a fatal design flaw, these men persisted until the program's tragic end. The subsequent cover-up prevented the truth from being told for more than eighty years, until now, when the full story can be revealed. The airship program was a remarkable feat of engineering and innovation, showcasing the country's technological prowess during a time of great change. However, its short-lived success was marred by a tragic accident that was covered up for decades. The revelation of the cover-up has had a significant impact on the history of transportation, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in the industry.

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Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780750987837\n \n