ZRS-4 was named for the city of Akron, Ohio, home of Goodyear's subsidiary Goodyear-Zeppelin Company, which built the airship and her sister USS Macon (ZRS-5).

(Map courtesy of HamsterMap.com.)

"America's future airship fleet," circa 1925, showing the size difference between Los Angeles (ZR-3) and Akron (ZRS-4).

San Diego Air & Space Museum photo.

"America's Superdreadnaught of the Sky—Larger Than the Los Angeles and Graff Zeppelin Put Together, the New Flying Fortress of the United States Navy, Under Construction at Akron, Ohio, Will Carry Five Fighting Planes Within a Hangar-Like Shell, Mount Big Guns in Turrets and Cruise 10,000 Miles Without Landing."

The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., Sunday, 10 November 1929.

"As Navy's New Zepp Was Begun—And now construction of the first American-built Zeppelin is under way. Above is immense throng of high government and aeronautic officials who participated in the laying of the master ring—similar to the laying of keel for a battleship—of the navy dirigible ZRS-4, which is being built by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Company at its Akron, O., hangar. Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, U.S.N., is pictured at right as he drove the golden rivet that formally started construction of the giant Zeppelin. Two of the big ships are to be built."

The Imperial Valley Press, El Centro, California, Saturday, 16 November 1929.

Erecting the first main frame ring of the future USS Akron (ZRS-4), during her construction in the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation hangar at Akron, Ohio, 24 March 1930.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 43121).

The future USS Akron (ZRS-4) under construction in the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation "air dock" hangar at Akron, Ohio, 5 November 1930. At this point, the airship's framework has been completed far enough to hold seven bags of lifting helium. Photograph received from the Navy Recruiting Bureau, 1932.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 42164).

The metallic skeleton of the airship USS Akron (ZRS-4) is shown during construction at the Goodyear Zeppelin Factory in Akron, Ohio, 30 December 1930

Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation archives photo 2067-A.

(Thanks to Hendrick Stoops for providing additional information.)

Library of Congress (LoC) photo, Reproduction Number LC-USZ62-74685.

"DIMENSIONS OF U.S.S. AKRON"

"Length 785 feet.
Diameter 132.9 feet.
Height over all 146.5 feet.
Gas Capacity 6,500,000 cubic feet.
Total Horse Power 4,480."

"U.S.S. AKRON UNDER CONSTRUCTION
AT AKRON, OHIO"

"Pub. by Airship Photo Shop, Lakehurst, N.J."

"George Arthur Wonfor Co., Camden, N.J."

Original Caption: "Photograph of an Oil Tank on the USS Akron, ca. 1933." Actual date, however, is probably 3 April 1931.

Note: Original photo was upside down. (Thanks to Hendrick Stoops for the correction.)

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

"Lakehurst, New Jersey (1 May 1931)—Lieutenant Commander Bertram Joseph Rodgers, who will be Engineer Officer on the U.S.S. Akron (ZRS-4), joins the world's largest dirigible which is near completion at Akron, Ohio. Rodgers served in submarines until 1927 when he was assigned to class instruction in lighter-than-air craft at Lakehurst in the same year. He gained valuable experience as executive officer of the USS Los Angeles. International Newsreel Photo."

Original Caption: "Photograph of the Interior Hull of a Dirigible before Gas Cells were Installed, ca. 1933." Note that this photo is often shown upside down and mirrored.

Actual date is 28 June 1931. This is Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation archives photo 738-B. (Thanks to Hendrick Stoops for the additional information.)

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Christening of the future USS Akron (ZRS-4), 8 August 1931. Notables on the speakers' stand during Akron's christening ceremonies, held in the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation "air dock" hangar at Akron, Ohio. Paul W. Litchfield, President of the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation is seated just to left of the microphones. Seated to the right of the microphones are (left to right): Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics; First Lady of the United States Mrs. Herbert Hoover, Akron's Sponsor; and David S. Ingalls, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Aviation.

Photograph received from the Navy Recruiting Bureau, 1932.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 42167).

Christening of the future USS Akron (ZRS-4), 8 August 1931. David S. Ingalls, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Aviation, speaking during Akron's christening ceremonies, held in the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation "air dock" hangar at Akron, Ohio.

Photograph received from the Navy Recruiting Bureau, 1932.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 42166).

Interior view of the future USS Akron (ZRS-4), at christening.

"Mrs. Hoover Christens New Sky Dreadnaught—Pictures above are the navy's new sky dreadnaught [sic], the dirigible Akron, christened Saturday by Mrs. Herbert Hoover. The picture shows the great ship as it appeared under construction in its hangar. At the right are pictures of Mrs. Hoover and of Lieut. Com. Charles E. Rosendahl, who will command the sky cruiser."

"Mrs. Hoover to Christen Giant Ship at Ohio City—Thousands of Visitors Are on Hand for Celebration of Notable Event—Akron, O., Aug. 8—(AP)—This city and many thousands of visitors joined with officials of the United States navy in the celebration here Saturday of one of the most important events in the history of aeronautics, the launching and christening of the world's largest airship, the Akron."

"The new dirigible, as long as several city blocks, and as high as a 15-story building, is to be christened by Mrs. Herbert Hoover, wife of the president. At the same time, it is to be freed from its cradle and floated about 40 feet along the interior of the giant hangar which has covered it during the two years it has been under construction."

The Bismarck Tribune, Bismarck, North Dakota, Saturday, 8 August 1931.

"How the Akron Will Launch Her Planes—Inside the Hull of the Giant New Navy Airship Is an Empty Space as Big as a Large Barn, Reserved for a Squadron of Five Planes Whose Pilots Will Be Specially Trained to Land by Hook and Take Off From a Crane-Trapeze While the Dirigible Is in Flight."

The Sunday Star, Washington, D. C., Sunday, 23 August 1931, page 4.

Akron (ZRS-4) leaving the Goodyear Zeppelin "airdock" at Akron, Ohio, circa September–October 1931.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 89488).

"— WINNER — Park Anderson Company, Third Annual Goodyear Dealers Zeppelin Race, July–August 1931."

"This frame is made of duralumin used in girder construction of the United States airship Akron built by the Goodyear Zeppelin Corporation."

Same photo as above.

USS Akron (ZRS-4), interior view, Navigator on board the lighter-than-air aircraft. Photograph received in 1951.

This is Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation archives photo 1181A, dated 15 October 1931. (Thanks to Hendrick Stoops for the additional information.)

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-463026.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) at Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey. Photographed 21 October 1931. U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-462003.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) in hangar at Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey. Photographed 22 October 1931. U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-462005.

USS Akron (ZRS-4), cutaway and interior structural drawings, circa 1931.

Courtesy of Richard K. Smith, author of the book The Airships Akron & Macon, 1974.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 80769).

German airship Hindenburg, left, and future USS Akron (ZRS-4), right.

Washington, D.C., 2 November 1931. "Navy airship U.S.S. Akron over the Lincoln Memorial." 4x5 inch nitrate negative by Theodor Horydczak.

"THE AKRON'S VISIT.—The giant airship Akron arrived yesterday to salute the Capital on its first flight, after having been officially dedicated to Navy service on Navy Day. Accompanied by its older, slimmer sister, the Los Angeles, the Akron, bearing 108 men, circled over the city, dipped in salute to the White House, and gave Washingtonians their first chance to see the world's largest and newest dirigible." The Washington Post, 3 November 1931.

Airship USS Akron (ZRS-4) flying over Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2 November 1931.

Photo by ©Leslie Jones, photographer (1886–1967).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) over Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C., 2 November 1931. Photograph received 1957. Note, the photograph is curved.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-1009363).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) over Washington, D.C., 2 November 1931. Photograph received 1957. Note, the photograph is curved.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-1009364).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) over Union Station, Washington, D.C., 2 November 1931. Same as NS02990401e, but cropped differently.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-466357).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) in flight over the Maryland Eastern Shore, 2 November 1931.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-462238).

View of the airship's tail section, while USS Akron (ZRS-4) was in flight on 2 November 1931.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-462245).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) in flight on 2 November 1931. A Rear Admiral's flag is flying just aft of her control gondola.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-462246).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) moored at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, 2 November 1931.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (# NH 42158).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) approaches a mooring mast while landing, circa 1931–1933.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 97977).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) making a morning takeoff or landing, at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, circa 1931–1933. Note mist just above the ground in front of the hangar, and the Sun in the distance.

Collection of Captain Hays R. Browning, USNR, from the Naval Reserve Aviation Base New York, N.Y. album.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, from the Collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (# NH 98082).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) in flight, date and location unknown.

USS Akron (ZRS-4), date and location unknown.

Photo ©Stivas Studio, Akron, Ohio.

"The U.S.S. Akron, 'Queen of the Skies," Flirting with Clouds at Twilight."

USS Akron (ZRS-4), date and location unknown.

One of the eight engine rooms aboard USS Akron (ZRS-4), date unknown.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) in the air. Goodyear photo. Date unknown.

Photo from United States Navy Aircraft since 1911, by Gordon Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) in flight in 1931. Note the small civilian airplane above the airship's forward end.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 63070).

Scene aboard USS Akron (ZRS-4), circa 1931–1932, showing a crew member getting a cup of water from a wash basin. Note the aluminum structural members.

This photograph was received from the U.S. Navy Recruiting Bureau, New York, in 1932.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (# NH 42162).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) flying over Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with USS Los Angeles (ZR-3) in the distance, circa late 1931 or early 1932. The Schuykill River waterworks and the Philadelphia Art Museum are visible in the lower center of the photograph.

This photograph was received from the U.S. Navy Recruiting Bureau, New York, in 1932.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (# NH 42169).

Closeup view of one of the airship's propellers, swiveled to its horizonal position to provide lift for takeoff, circa 1931–1932.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (# NH 97978).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) over Central Park, New York City, New York, 1931–33. Photograph received 1957. Note: the photograph is curved.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration, # 80-G-1009360.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) flying over the southern end of Manhattan Island, New York City, circa 1931–1933.

Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph, # NH 43900.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) with USS Patoka (AO-9), 1931–33. Photograph by Naval Air Station, Anacostia, Washington, D.C.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-458938.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) recovers her N2Y-1 airplane, during training exercises, circa 1932. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1976.

U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph (# NH 84208).

USS Patoka (AO-9) with USS Akron (ZRS-4) moored in San Francisco Bay, 1932.

Pinterest - NUMU New Museum Los Gatos, "Giants in the Sky: The Rise and Fall of Airships", by Stacey M. Cartger.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) ready to moor to USS Patoka (AO-9) in 1932, location unknown.

Damage to the airship's lower fin, 22 February 1932. USS Akron (ZRS-4) was being removed from her hangar at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, when the wind caused her tail to break loose from the rail car used for maneuvering the airship on the ground. A party of Congressmen was waiting to board Akron at the time, and Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, was also present. This photograph was taken immediately after the accident, and shows RADM Moffett in the left center, facing the camera.

Though her fin was seriously damaged, Akron was repaired in about two months.

Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 42160).

Curtiss XF9C-1 Sparrowhawk fighter (Bureau # A8731) approaches the trapeze landing gear of USS Akron (ZRS-4), while landing on the airship, 3 May 1932. Photographed from inside Akron's hangar. Pilot is Lieutenant Howard L. Young.

Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (# 80-CF-4184-10).

Curtiss XF9C-1 Sparrowhawk (#A8731) is lifted into the hangar of USS Akron (ZRS-4), after landing on the airship, 3 May 1932. Pilot is Lieutenant Howard L. Young.

Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (photo # 80-CF-4184-15).

Curtiss XF9C-1 Sparrowhawk (#A8731) is lifted into the hangar of USS Akron (ZRS-4), after hooking onto the airship's trapeze landing gear, 3 May 1932. Photographed during exercises over the Atlantic Ocean near Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey. Pilot is Lieutenant Howard L. Young.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (photo # 80-G-416534).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) launches a Consolidated N2Y-1 training plane (# A8604) during flight tests near Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, 4 May 1932. Note the airship's trapeze aircraft handling gear suspended from her hangar bay.

NS02990435: Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-463185.

NS02990435a: Naval Aviation News, March 1955 issue.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) approaches the mooring mast, while landing at Sunnyvale, California, 13 May 1932.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 42156.

Curtiss XF9C-1 Sparrowhawk fighter (Bureau # A8731) is lifted into the hangar of USS Akron (ZRS-4), after hooking onto the airship's trapeze landing gear, circa May 1932.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (# 80-G-416532).

Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk fighter (Bureau # 9059) inside the airplane hangar of USS Akron (ZRS-4), 1932. Part of the airplane handling system is visible above the plane. Another Sparrowhawk, in flight, is partially visible through the airship's hangar opening, at the bottom of the view.

Courtesy of Richard K. Smith, author of the book The Airships Akron & Macon, 1974.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 80773).

A U.S. Navy Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk attached to the airship USS Akron (ZRS-4). When the project was later abandoned the three remaining aircraft were redesignated XF9C-2 and sent to NAS San Diego. USN Photo.

Scanned from United States Navy and Marine Corps Fighters 1918–1962, compiled by Paul R. Matt and edited by Bruce Robertson.

Annotated three-view drawing of Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk (BuAer # 9057) by Willis L. Nye, prepared for the American Aviation Historical Society, 3 March 1958. Courtesy of Richard K. Smith, author of the book The Airships Akron & Macon, 1974.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photo (# NH 80770).

Consolidated N2Y-1 training plane (Bureau # 8604) photographed while serving as "hook-on" familiarization trainer for USS Akron (ZRS-4), 1932. An O3U-1 (Bureau # 8871) is in the background.

Courtesy of Richard K. Smith, author of the book The Airships Akron & Macon, 1974.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 80775).

A U.S. Navy Consolidated N2Y-1 (8604) while fitted for skyhook familiarization training. Photo courtesy Fred Bamberger Collection.

From United States Navy Aircraft since 1911, by Gordon Swanborough and Peter M Bowers.

Montage of four photographs of the incident in which three line handlers were pulled into the air when USS Akron (ZRS-4) accidently climbed while attempting to land at Camp Kearney, near San Diego, California, on 11 May 1932.

The two views at left show Seaman Apprentice Charles M. Cowart clinging to the trail line as the airship crew slowly winched him on board. The photo at right is of Cowart on board the Akron after his rescue. The view second from right shows Sailors Nigel Merton Henton and Harold Edsal holding onto the lines just after Akron lifted off. Both men fell to their deaths immediately after the photograph was taken.

Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 84169).

The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., 19 August 1932. 4x5 inch nitrate negative by Theodor Horydczak. "The Navy airship Akron appeared in the morning and after circling the city released several of her small fighting airplanes over Hoover Field. These were later drawn into the hangar constructed on the interior of the airship."

Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk from USS Akron (ZRS-4), #9058, photographed at Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey, 23 November 1932.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-HAN-47-2.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) over San Francisco, California, 1932–33. Photograph received 1957. Note that the photograph is curved.

Official U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-1009359.

Dirigible USS Akron (ZRS-4) over Washington, D.C. Taken on 4 March 1933, Inauguration Day for President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 18-AA-138-3.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) flying off the Panama Canal Zone, 15 March 1933. Her N2Y-1 training plane is nearby.

Official U.S. Army Air Corps Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History & Heritage Command (# NH 98038).

USS Akron (ZRS-4) flying off the Panama Canal Zone, 15 March 1933. The airship's N2Y-1 training plane is suspended in her hangar opening.

Official U.S. Army Air Corps Photograph, from the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC), # NH 98039.

"Akron Municipal Airport, Akron, Ohio." Postcard. Photo by Stivas Studio.

"Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Plants 1 and 2, in East Akron, U.S. Navy airship over them." Postcard mailed from Akron, Ohio, to Huntington, West Virginia, 24 October 1941.

"The World's Largest Airship, the Akron." Postcard. Date unknown.

Watch fob. "Duralumin used in the airship Akron made by the Good Year Zeppelin Corporation Akron, Ohio."

USS Akron (ZRS-4) cover carried on the May 1932 "Coast to Coast" Air Mail flight and later autographed by the only three survivors of the April 1933 crash: LCDR Herbert V. Wiley, AM2 Moody Erwin, and BM2 Richard E. Deal.

Source: The Cooper Collection of Zeppelin Postal History. Image: DigitalImageServices.com.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) Memorial cover autographed by crewmen LCDR Herbert V. Wiley (Executive Officer), AM2 Moody Erwin, and BM2 Richard E. Deal, the only three survivors of the ill-fated airship that crashed in the Atlantic Ocean in a weather related accident off the New Jersey coast early on 4 April 1933, with the loss of 73 of the 76 souls on board.

Source: The Cooper Collection of Zeppelin Postal History. Image: DigitalImageServices.com.

USS Akron (ZRS-4) airship desktop wood model, by MYASIANART Gallery.

Loss of USS Akron (ZRS-4), 4 April 1933. U.S. Navy Reserve O2C-1 aircraft returning to their base at Floyd Bennett Field, New York, at sunset, after searching off the New Jersey coast for survivors of the lost airship Akron.

Courtesy of Loyd D. Reckner, 1970.

Naval History and Heritage Command (NH&HC) Photograph, #NH 72639.

LCDR Harold Earle MacLellan (Navigator, left) and LT(JG) Cyrus Turner Clendening were among those who lost their lives in the crash of USS Akron (ZRS-4).

Survivors of USS Akron (ZRS-4) receive commendations from the Secretary of the Navy, in his Navy Department office, shortly after the airship's loss on 4 April 1933. Those present are (from left to right): Assistant Secretary of the Navy Henry A. Roosevelt; Secretary of the Navy Claude Swanson; Admiral William V. Pratt, Chief of Naval Operations; Lieutenant Commander Herbert V. Wiley, senior survivor; Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Richard E. Deal, survivor; and Aviation Metalsmith 2nd Class Moody Erwin, survivor. Erwin, whose left hand is bandaged, is apparently wearing a borrowed uniform, as its insignia is that of a Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class.

U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 55468).

Pilots of the USS Akron's Heavier-Than-Air unit pose in front of one of their Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk fighters, at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, in 1933 sometime after Akron's loss. Present are (left to right): Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Robert W. Lawson, Lieutenant Harold B. Miller, Lieutenant Frederick M. Trapnell, Lieutenant Howard L. Young, and Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Frederick N. Kivette.

Courtesy of Harold B. Miller, 1973. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command photograph (# NH 77430).