The ‘America’ Airship Launched From Atlantic City, NJ In 1910

Did you know that there was a dirigible named “America.”

It was a gigantic airship that launched from Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1910.

The goal was to achieve the first crossing of the Atlantic. It failed, but, it is yet another major event in Atlantic City’s storied history.

Known as The Wellman - Vaniman Airship America, it was an astounding 229 feet in length, with greatest diameter 52 feet … Volume of 345,000 cubic feet and Lifting Lower of 24,000 pounds.

It was created by and flown by Walter Wellman and Melvin Vaniman, along with an additional crew of six people.

The enormous airship left Atlantic City, New Jersey on October 15, 1910.

After 71 and 1/2 hours, the crew had no choice but to abandoned their attempt and ditched the airship. They were fortunately rescued by a steamship that was passing by at the time.

Courtesy of Nosmo King and The I GREW UP OR LIVED IN ATLANTIC CITY Facebook Page, here are some incredible photos that illustrate how massive in size the airship “America” was.

The above photo literally depicts “America” being guided out of its hangar. It was big history in the making … a true engineering marvel during its time more than 113 years ago.

“America” was built more than 26 years before The Hindenburg was launched in March, 1936 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

The above photographed details the various statistics of this behemoth airship.

The above photograph is of Messrs. Wellman and Vaniman and the crew of the airship “America.”

The “America” was originally built in 1906 to fly to the North Pole.

It was rebuilt in 1910 to attempt the crossing of The Atlantic.

Wellman was an interesting character, who actually founded a newspaper when he was just 14 years old in Sutton, Nebraska.

Shortly thereafter, he founded the Cincinnati Evening Post in 1778.

Wellman also became the Washington correspondent for the Chicago Herald.

However, it is written that he was obsessed by trying to find the North Pole.

Wellman attempted several land expeditions, but, decided that the best way to get there was by air.

Then United States President Theodore Roosevelt supported Wellman’s efforts, when he founded The “Wellman Chicago Record-Herald Polar Expedition Company.”

Wellman’s newspaper provided $ 75,000 to launch the company.

SOURCE: Airships.net