Hindenburg Disaster

May 6, 1937 marked one of the most infamous disasters in history on par with the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912.

Where the Titanic had direct and indirect connections to Ocean County, the Hindenburg disaster actually took place here at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in view of hundreds of witnesses and a film camera.

On this 80^th anniversary of the explosion of the Hindenburg we revisit the scene.

You can view the film HERE
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Allen O. Hagaman was the only member of the ground crew that died in the tragedy.  The following is his obituary from the May 14, 1937 edition of the Lakewood Citizen newspaper:

Funeral Service for Airship Victim - Sole Ground Crew Member to Meet Death, Buried Monday.   Funeral services were held at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station for Allen O. Hagaman, who met his death as a ground crewman in the Hindenburg disaster, on Thursday night of last week at the Hagaman home, Cedar Street, Lakehurst, on Monday afternoon.  He was born in Cassville, the son of the late Charles and Jane Hagaman.  He had lived in Lakehurst for the past twenty-five years and at one time conducted a grocery store there.  For the past month he had been employed at the air station as a laborer ad had been hired as a member of the ground crew by the Zeppelin company representatives.  He is believed to have been a member of the ground party near the aft of the ship, where the first force of explosion was heard. Hagaman lived several hours after being taken to the Naval hospital.  Members of his family were not advised of his injures until a short time before his death as identity was undetermined for some time.  He is survived by his wife and a daughter, Miss Sarah Hagaman, both of Lakehurst, and one sister, Miss May Hagaman of VanHiseville. Burial will be made at Cassville cemetery.
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Rare Color Interior Photographs of the Hindenburg
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Hindenburg Tea Cup & Plate
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Hindenburg Docked at Lakehurst Naval Air Station
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The Explosion That Rocked the World
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The Aftermath
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Hindenburg Memorial at Lakehurst Naval Air Station
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Dedicating the Memorial in the 1970s
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Historic Landmark Plaque at Lakehurst Naval Air Station
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