USS Macon (ZRS-5)

[COMMAND CHIEF]

[dustin]

Wikipedia write up;

 

USS Macon (ZRS-5) was a rigid airship built and operated by the United States Navy for scouting and served as a "flying aircraft carrier", designed to carry biplane parasite aircraft, five single-seat Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk for scouting or two-seat Fleet N2Y-1 for training. In service for less than two years, in 1935 the Macon was damaged in a storm and lost off California's Big Sur coast, though most of the crew were saved. The wreckage is listed as the USS Macon Airship Remains on the U.S

 

USS Macon was built at the Goodyear Airdock in Springfield Township, Ohio by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation.[3] Because this was by far the biggest airship ever to be built in America, a team of experienced German airship engineers—led by Chief Designer Karl Arnstein—instructed and supported design and construction of both the U.S. Navy airships Akron and Macon

 

-Crash-

On 12 February 1935, the repair process was still incomplete when, returning to Sunnyvale from fleet maneuvers, Macon ran into a storm off Point Sur, California. During the storm, the ship was caught in a wind shear which caused structural failure of the unstrengthened ring (17.5) to which the upper tailfin was attached. The fin failed to the side and was carried away. Pieces of structure punctured the rear gas cells and caused gas leakage. The commander, acting rapidly and on fragmentary information, ordered an immediate and massive discharge of ballast. Control was lost and, tail heavy and with engines running full speed ahead, Macon rose past the pressure height of 2,800 ft (850 m), and kept rising until enough helium was vented to cancel the lift, reaching an altitude of 4,850 ft (1,480 m).[18] The last SOS call from Commander Wiley stated "Will abandon ship as soon as we land on the water somewhere 20 miles off of Pt. Sur, probably 10 miles at sea."[19] It took 20 minutes to descend and, settling gently into the sea, Macon sank off Monterey Bay. Only two crew members were lost thanks to the warm conditions and the introduction of life jackets and inflatable rafts after the Akron tragedy.[20][21][22] Radioman 1st Class Ernest Edwin Dailey jumped ship while still too high above the ocean surface to survive the fall and Mess Attendant 1st Class Florentino Edquiba drowned while swimming back into the wreckage to try to retrieve personal belongings. An officer was rescued when Commander Wiley swam to his aid, an action for which he was later decorated.[23] Sixty-four survivors were picked up by the cruiser Richmond, the cruiser Concord took 11 aboard and the cruiser Cincinnati saved six.

 

"introduction of life jackets and inflatable rafts"

At the time of the incident, the US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics had only just recently adopted, as standard, floatation devices, and this being one of the earliest events of applied practical use. 

Here is an image of some of the survivors of the Macon with an early generation multi-person life raft. The life raft, at the time, was a bit of novelty item hence why they are posing here with it. Inflatables were a whole new concept and proved their worth saving many lives. A technology of the era that we do not bat an eye at today. 

 

 

 

[USMCR79]

I have original radio communication messages received by the USS Northhampton alerting the ship of the Macon Crash at sea

 

Bill

[mikie]

I've been in awe of the Macon's Hangar 1 at Moffett Field since I first moved to San Jose in 1982. Even now, with it's outer skin gone, It's hard to take my eyes off it when I pass by on the highway. It must have been an incredible sight to see the Macon fly in and out of there. 

 

Do you folks have a special interest in, or connection to the Macon? 

Mikie

[Tonomachi]

I remember awhile back there was talk about someone trying to salvage a couple of the Curtis F9C-2 Sparrowhawk aircraft from the ocean bottom off of Pint Sur to restore them as none have survived.  I don't know what became of this.  The area was made a marine sanctuary so this may have stopped those efforts. 

 

 

[COMMAND CHIEF]

On 2/28/2021 at 11:44 AM, mikie said:

I've been in awe of the Macon's Hangar 1 at Moffett Field since I first moved to San Jose in 1982. Even now, with it's outer skin gone, It's hard to take my eyes off it when I pass by on the highway. It must have been an incredible sight to see the Macon fly in and out of there. 

 

Do you folks have a special interest in, or connection to the Macon? 

Mikie

I was stationed at NAS Moffett Field for 6 years.  3 of them in Hanger ONE.

 

[Flashlarue]

My dad was part of the construction crew which built the hanger. He used to tell stories about clouds forming inside and a pilot doing a fly through and much more. I don't know how true they were but it made for interesting hearing.

[mikie]

In case you are not aware, 10 years ago, Hangar 1 was found to have toxic contamination on the metal skin while the base was being assessed for commercial uses.  Through a deal with Google, the skin was removed  and disposed of while the skeleton was left in place.  Google plans to replace the skin this year and use the hangar for a variety of purposes.  

https://mv-voice.com/news/2020/08/19/plans-underway-to-restore-iconic-hangar-one-starting-next-year

 

Here are a few shots of it as it looks now.  I took these photos back in 2018.  Even without the skin, it is still amazingly beautiful.  I never get tired of seeing it.  But then I didn't have to work in it for 3 years.  I was in it once while it was still complete and it is mindbogglingly huge inside.  

 

Flashlarue, your Dad may have seen the hangar like this while he was helping build it.

 

Mikie

 

 

[COMMAND CHIEF]

1 hour ago, mikie said:

In case you are not aware, 10 years ago, Hangar 1 was found to have toxic contamination on the metal skin while the base was being assessed for commercial uses.  Through a deal with Google, the skin was removed  and disposed of while the skeleton was left in place.  Google plans to replace the skin this year and use the hangar for a variety of purposes.  

https://mv-voice.com/news/2020/08/19/plans-underway-to-restore-iconic-hangar-one-starting-next-year

 

Here are a few shots of it as it looks now.  I took these photos back in 2018.  Even without the skin, it is still amazingly beautiful.  I never get tired of seeing it.  But then I didn't have to work in it for 3 years.  I was in it once while it was still complete and it is mindbogglingly huge inside.  

 

Flashlarue, your Dad may have seen the hangar like this while he was helping build it.

 

Mikie

 

 

I SUSPECT MANY PARTS OF THE STATION ARE TOXIC.  

[mikie]

5 hours ago, COMMAND CHIEF said:

I SUSPECT MANY PARTS OF THE STATION ARE TOXIC.  

You are correct. Parts of the base are superfund cleanup sites. Other parts are ok, and others have been cleaned up. 

Mikie