List of airships of the United States Navy identifies the
airships of the
United States Navy by type, identification, and class.
Rigid airships (ZR)
In the background, Los Angeles, in front of it, (l to r) J-3 or 4, K-1, ZMC-2, in front of them, "Caquot" observation balloon, and in foreground free balloons used for training.
US Navy airships and balloons, 1931
The fabric-clad rigid airships were given
commissions, the same as warships.[1]
USS Shenandoah (ZR-1) - served 1923-25, lost 3 September 1925 due to structural failure while in line squalls, 14 killed
(ZR-2) - British-built as R38, lost 24 August 1921 before US Navy acceptance (and before official use of the ZR-2 designation) due to severe control inputs at low altitude and high speed far in excess of structural strength, 44 killed including 16 USN personnel[2][3]