The horror and tragedy of the Hindenburg Disaster

But as the ship drew close to the mooring mast, disaster struck. In a matter of seconds, the airship erupted into flames, sending passengers and crew members tumbling to the ground in a desperate fight for survival.

The Hindenburg disaster would go on to change the course of air travel forever, leaving a lasting impact on the industry and those who witnessed the catastrophic event.

The Hindenburg was built in the early 1930s by the Zeppelin Company, a German airship manufacturer.

It was a massive undertaking that took over a year to complete. This is because the Hindenburg was designed to be the largest airship ever built: measuring 804 feet in length and 135 feet in diameter.

Its frame was made of duralumin, a lightweight aluminum alloy that was both strong and flexible.

To flight it through the skies, the Hindenburg was powered by four 1200 horsepower diesel engines.

These drove four propellers mounted on the rear of the airship.

It was also equipped with a series of gas cells that were filled with hydrogen, which provided the lift needed to keep the airship aloft.

In particular, the Hindenburg's gas cells were made of cotton fabric that was coated with layers of rubber and other materials to make them airtight.

On the inside, the interior of the Hindenburg was designed to be luxurious, with comfortable cabins, a dining room, and a lounge area for passengers.

It was also equipped with a bar, a smoking room, and a promenade deck. Here, the passengers could take in the views of the surrounding landscape during flight.

The Hindenburg became a media sensation, and it was touted as a clear demonstration of the technical prowess of the German airship industry.

It also became a symbol of national pride.

The Hindenburg had made dozens of successful flights. On the 6th of May, 1937, the airship was on its first transatlantic trip of the season, having departed from Frankfurt, Germany, three days earlier.

As the airship approached the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, a thunderstorm was brewing in the area, and the ship was delayed in its landing.

At around 7:25 PM, the Hindenburg finally made its approach to the mooring mast, where ground crew members were waiting to secure it to the ground.

However, as the Hindenburg drew close to the mooring mast, witnesses on the ground noticed a bright red flame appear on the tail of the airship.

Within seconds, the Hindenburg was engulfed in flames, and a massive fireball erupted, sending debris flying in all directions.

Passengers and crew members scrambled to escape the burning airship. Some jumped from the gondola to the ground below, while others tried to climb down the ropes to safety.

Miraculously, some people survived the disaster, but the majority of those on board did not.

In total, 36 people lost their lives in the Hindenburg disaster, including 13 passengers and 22 crew members.

One ground crew member was also killed by falling debris.

The cause of the Hindenburg disaster is still an open debate, but it is widely believed to have been caused by a combination of factors.

These include the use of hydrogen gas as a lifting agent, which was highly flammable, and a static electricity discharge that may have ignited the gas.

So why was hydrogen was used if it was so flammable? Well, it was cheaper and more plentiful than helium, which was the preferred gas used by the United States.

In addition, on the day of the disaster, the Hindenburg was flying through a thunderstorm. 

It is believed that the storm created static electricity that built up on the airship's outer skin.

As the airship approached the mooring mast at Lakehurst, New Jersey, it is thought that the static electricity discharged, igniting the hydrogen gas that was contained within the airship's gas cells.

Unfortunately, the Hindenburg disaster had a profound impact on the public's perception of air travel, particularly airships.

It ultimately marked the end of the era of airship travel, which had promised to revolutionize the way people traveled long distances.

Only a few companies continuing to operate airships until the outbreak of World War II, primarily due to the fear that the general public now felt about their perceived lack of safety.