Service to honour victims of airship disaster
Getty ImagesA service is being held in Hull to honour victims of an airship disaster.
Thousands saw the R38 airship explode and plummet into the Humber Estuary on 24 August 1921, killing 44 of its 49-strong British and American crew.
Several of the victims lie in Hull's Western Cemetery.
The memorial service, featuring a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, as well as a wreath-laying ceremony, is due to take place at Spring Bank Cemetery on 23 August from 14:30 BST.
Getty ImagesHull Minster said the service would honour those who lost their lives.
The R38 was designed late in World War One for long range North Sea patrols and was the world's largest airship when it first flew in June 1921.
The crash happened while the airship, built in Cardington near Bedford, was on a test flight from Howden.
It was to be handed over to the US Navy.
Balance problems had been discovered during earlier test flights in June and July which led to its girders being reinforced during repairs at Howden.
Prior to crashing, it had carried out low altitude turns over Hull.
Creases began appearing on its side, before the two sections separated with the forward section catching fire, according to accounts.
Two colossal explosions followed, shattering windows over a large area.
The disaster also marked the end of the UK's military airship activities.
The Treasure House in Beverley holds digital film archives documenting the airship disaster.
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