USS Akron (ZRS-4)
USS Akron (ZRS-4) was a helium-filled rigid airship of the United States Navy that was lost in a weather-related accident off the New Jersey coast early on 4 April 1933, killing 73 of the 76 crew and passengers on board. During its accident-prone 18-month term of service, she also served as a flying aircraft carrier for launching F9C Sparrowhawk biplane fighters.
At 785 ft (239 m) long, 20 ft (6.1 m) shorter than the German commercial airship Hindenburg, Akron and her sister Macon were among the largest flying objects in the world. Although the Hindenburg was longer, it was filled with hydrogen, so the two U.S. airships still hold the world record for helium-filled airships.
Read more about USS Akron (ZRS-4): Construction and Commissioning, Maiden Voyage, Participation in A Search Exercise, January 1932, First Accident (February 1932), Testing of The "spy Basket", Experimental Use As A "flying Aircraft Carrier", "Coast-to-Coast" Flight & Second Accident (May 1932), West Coast Flights, Further Tests As "flying Aircraft Carrier", Third Accident (August 1932), Return To The Fleet, Fourth Accident and Loss of USS Akron (April 1933), Aftermath of The Loss of USS Akron