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Zeppelin “L-2”. Interior View showing Internal Corridor Construction.
Gas Bags Not Inflated. 1912-1913.

And then, as the ship was being taken out of the hangar the first time, the forward steering gear broken, and the craft was literally driven by the wind the entire length of Lake Constance, not stopping till it was brought up against the Swiss shore, whence with much difficulty it was returned to the workshops and repaired.

The next time he flew, Zeppelin took the ship to a height of 1640 feet (500 meters) over the lake before motor trouble developed and he was forced to land at Allgau. Though he had no assistance aside from his crew and had made no preparations the inventor was successful in landing; and he moored her there in an open field for the night while repairing the motors. Before they could be started again a winter storm swept against the craft and it was so badly damaged that Count Zeppelin with a heavy heart was forced to give orders to dismantle it.

Handicapped by Motor Trouble

There was world-wide comment over the accident which was not due to structural defect or design. Zeppelin explained that he could have survived the storm had he been able to keep his motors running. But everybody thought his dream was shattered, one more glorious failure. But Zeppelin did not agree with public sentiment. The following April he commenced his third ship, throwing into the venture his last resources along with all the enthusiasm and confidence of youth. It was this that enabled him to announce its completion in October 1906. It was exactly like the one destroyed at Allgau except for the stabilizers at the stern which had been added to permit of smooth flying (Plate 2).

Successful Trials with the Third Zeppelin

Experiments with this craft were immediately successful. Zeppelin guided it over the lake between three and four hours in a single flight, making wide circles and maneuvering under absolute control, remarkable in view of its size. The ship also showed superior speed, making 28.8 miles per hour (13 meters per second).

This ship brought Zeppelin and his assistants their first public recognition. The German Government offered the inventor a new floating shed (Plate 3), larger than the old one, which would enable him to improve his craft and enlarge them. To him this was the most essential. He more than any other apparently realized that he must increase their size to develop practical weight lifting capacity.

The Government Becomes Interested

Meanwhile he continued his demonstration flights with his third ship, culminating on October 1st, 1907, in a brilliant 8 hour flight of more than 218.5 miles (350 kilometers). Thereupon the Government officials declared their willingness to take over Count Zeppelin’s ships if they fulfilled certain requirements, among them a twenty-four hour flight. Early the next summer Zeppelin took out another new ship, LZ-4 (Plate 3), somewhat larger than its predecessors, holding 529,650 cubic feet (15,000 cubic meters) of hydrogen. This increased size gave it a carrying capacity of 37,478 pounds (17,000 kilograms) which, with increased motor power—each engine estimated at approximately 100 horsepower—made it a practical weight carrying and speedy craft. Count Zeppelin with an eye to the passenger and military possibilities had also built into the forward part of the hull, on top, an observation platform. It marked the beginning of refinement in design and conveniences which has been continued unceasingly. Here was an airship which Zeppelin felt worthy of demonstrating to the public at large.

Zeppelins for Commerce and War

His great flight on July 1st, 1908, was as successful as it surely was daring for he took the new rigid up over the Swiss Alps to Lucerne and back again.

The world was astounded, particularly his contemporaries, a majority of whom unhesitatingly flooded the grand old man with enthusiastic messages of congratulation. Just as he had worked so devotedly to bringing forth something in which the German people could have faith, so was his faith justified. The public was wildly enthusiastic. Everybody was proud of the accomplishment on German soil and joyfully acclaimed Zeppelin whose lone ideas were now the ideas of a nation. His triumph was not only official but national. His vision was the vision of the people and it was an accomplished fact.

Rarely had there been such national interest shown in any sort of venture as that represented by the vast throngs that gathered from all parts of the empire to witness the start of the official duration flight on August 4th that year. Zeppelin planned to sail the ship down the Rhine Valley toward Mainz and return. He got away on schedule and disappeared in the soft haze, all Germany receiving reports of his progress as the ship appeared for a few moments over a village and then out of sight once more.

But disaster awaited the gallant ship. On the return flight motor trouble caused a forced landing at Echterdingen near Stuttgart. A storm blew up and the airship was torn from its moorings. As it was being whirled into the air, the entire structure was suddenly enveloped in a solid flame and Zeppelin a few moments later was gazing at the twisted skeleton of his latest efforts.

The Zeppelin Endowment