The Lighter-Than-Air Society displays memorabilia from its collection.
On March 15 Aaron Keirns gave a talk about the crash of the USS Shenandoah, the US Navy’s first rigid airship. The dirigible crashed in Noble County, Ohio on September 3, 1925. Fourteen crew members lost their lives, including the commanding officer, Lt. Cdr. Zachary Lansdowne.
The talk was given at the Garst Museum in Greenville, Ohio, hometown of Lt. Cdr. Lansdowne. Mr. Keirns, author of America’s Forgotten Airship Disaster: The Crash of the USS Shenandoah, spoke about the events of the fateful day as well as the history of the airship.
Aaron Keirns begins his talk about the Shenandoah Crash.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
Audience at the talk given by Aaron Keirns at the Garst Museum.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
The Lighter-Than-Air Society had a display of items from its collection pertaining to the USS Shenandoah and the crash. The items displayed featured a section of a girder (internal structure) of the airship, samples of the fabric from the outer skin and goldbeater (a material made from the outer membrane of cow intestines) used to make the cells that held the helium. The display also included a large splinter of wood that is believed to have been a railing inside the airship and some publications from the era.
A member of The Lighter-Than-Air Society with part of the display of Shenandoah memorabilia.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
Part of a girder recovered from the crash site and a copy of Aviation magazine published Sept. 10, 1923 reporting on the maiden flight of the USS Shenandoah.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
One of the attendees examines The Lighter-Than-Air Society’s exhibit.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
A framed piece of goldbeater and a period post card of the USS Shenandoah.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
After his talk, the author autographed copies of his book.
Later in the afternoon the members of The Lighter-Than-Air Society that had traveled to Greenville drove by the home where Lt. Cdr. Lansdowne was born and lived. The house, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places, is being restored to its condition at the beginning of the 20th century.
The Lansdowne home in Greenville, Ohio.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
Front of the Lansdowne home in Greenville, Ohio.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
Sign at the entrance of the Lansdowne home in Greenville, Ohio.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
Plaque certifying that the Lansdowne home is on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
Marker at the Lansdowne home, birthplace of Lt. Cdr. Zachary Lansdowne.
Photo: © Alvaro Bellon
Click here to view an article in the Daily Advocate covering the event.