Why a Booktrail?
1937: The Titanic of the air..
The Hindenburg – a ship of dreams
Why a Booktrail?
1937: The Titanic of the air..
What you need to know before your trail
75 years ago, the explosion at Lakehurst marked a dramatic end to the Golden Days of Lighter-than-Air. The crash of LZ-129 “Hindenburg” was the first disaster to be documented in pictures (one photographer even had Kodak color slide film, which had been developed one year prior), filmed by several national camera teams and recorded on records with the famous words of reporter Herb Morrison.
This book covers in detail, the construction, early test flights and later regular passenger flights up until that fateful day. The appendix includes not only a short list of all these flights, but also includes the most complete passenger list ever compiled.
Yet, faith in superior technology was short lived. Just like the passenger ship, “Titantic”, a quarter century prior; the “Hindenburg” marked yet another disaster that would shake that faith and remain embedded in our memories.
Travel Guide
Frankfurt to New Jersey
The Hindenburg
On May 3, 1937, the Hindenburg left Frankfurt, Germany, for a journey across the Atlantic to Lakehurst’s Navy Air Base. It was a flying miracle – measuring some 804 feet and it carried 36 passengers and 61 crew.
The author takes the real life passenger list as the basis for her cast of characters, and weaves various theories for why the Hindenberg blew up and mixes fact and fiction to create a remarkably thrilling and atmospheric story.
Inside the Hindenburg
This was a sight to behold. A flying airship which was state of the art in its day. This was a real flying machine with ornate smoking rooms and lounges, gilded halls and smart furnishings. There is a range of characters on the ship
The ship left Frankfurt for a journey across the Atlantic to Lakehurst’s Navy Air Base. While attempting to moor at Lakehurst, the airship suddenly burst into flames and the hull of the airship incinerated within seconds. Thirteen passengers, 21 crewmen, and 1 civilian member of the ground crew lost their lives.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: The Hindenburg – a ship of dreams
Destination: Frankfurt, New Jersey Author/Guide: John Provan Departure Time: 1937
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