The Hindenburg was built by the Zeppelin Company. Its diameter, at 135 feet,STATSLength: 804 feet or 245.06 meters
Diameter: 135 feet or 41.15 meters
Max. speed: 84.4 km/h
Engines: 4, 1200 horsepower Mercedes Benz engines
Lifting gas and volume: 7,063,000 cu. feet or 211,890 cu. meters of hydrogen
The Hindenburg did more than just crash in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The Hindenburg was bought out by the Nazis because the Zeppelin Company was having trouble during the Depression. The Nazis used the Hindenburg to drop pamphlets all over Germany about the Nazi movement. The Nazi's purchase of the Hindenburg would affect the vessel later on.
On March 4, 1936, the Hindenburg, the world's biggest flying object, flew it's first trial run. It had to undergo only a few minor repairs from a rough landing. The Hindenburg could take people to the Americas and Europe.
The cause of the Hindenburg's
crash is still unknown but there are two very logical theories. One theory
is that someone might have terrorized the ship and lit a match or detonated
a bomb. Another theory is that there was an electrical storm and a bolt
of lightning may have ignited the hydrogen. Whatever the cause, the Hindenburg,
at approximately 7:25 p.m., crashed into the ground of Lakehurst, New Jersey,
32 seconds after the first flame erupted, killing 36 of 97 people on board.
| Exxon Valdez Oil Spill | Hugo |
| Mt. St. Helens | Depression |
| Twin Towers | Home |