Tragic crash of US Navy airship

Other dangerous events foreshadowed USS Akron’s fateful crash

On this episode of Tracks Through Time, Deputy Editor Brielle Jaekel dives into the tragic crash of a Navy airship, the USS Akron, in which numerous men lost their lives. It was the first of two major airship crashes in New Jersey, during a time when some believed airships were the future of travel.

Caroline Johnson, who works with the Naval History and Heritage Command, comes on the show to tell us the story and the events that foreshadowed the crash.

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Brielle Jaekel

Experienced journalist with roles including lead, deputy editor, managing editor, associate editor, staff reporter, staff writer, and editorial assistant.