The Wreck of the Naval Airship USS Shenandoah

By Jerry Copas and Julia H. Hunt

The USS Shenandoah was the pride of the American Navy in 1925 and America's first rigid dirigible. Her name is a Native American word often said to mean "Daughter of the Stars." While performing a publicity tour in the Midwest, the ship was ripped to pieces by a violent storm. Fourteen men died, including Lt. Comdr. Zachary Lansdowne, who remained at his post to the very end. The citizens of Noble County, Ohio, were alarmed and amazed when this high-tech, state-of-the-art marvel came tumbling out of the sky into their rural and isolated community. While lavishing care and support on the wounded, the locals also looted the wreckage and made souvenirs of valuable equipment that remained family treasures for years. Tales of daring heroism and sacrifice by those brave sailors on that stormy night soon became the thing of legend to the residents of the valley. For nearly 100 years, people there have maintained the legacy of Shenandoah with monuments, songs, and commemorations that continue to this day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Release date: Aug 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781439661963

Jerry Copas

Author Jerry Copas is an airship enthusiast and balloon pilot from Sellersburg, Indiana. He is historian of the Balloon Society of Kentucky and a member of the Balloon Federation of America, Navy Lakehurst Historical Society, Akron Lighter Than Air Society, and the Naval Airship Association. The foreword is written by Julia H. Hunt, granddaughter of Lt. Comdr. Zachary Lansdowne, captain of USS Shenandoah.

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