Chatham, Massachusetts – June 8, 1918 

     On the night of June 8, 1918, a U. S. Navy dirigible at the Chatham Naval Air Station was maneuvering towards its hangar when its rudder was rendered inoperable after it came into contact with a pole.  A strong wind was blowing at the time, and the rudderless ship was carried out to sea with three men aboard.  They were rescued the following day by a patrol boat.  The dirigible was towed to Hyannis, Mass. and brought back to Chatham by truck and trailer.  The dirigible was valued at $40,000.     

     Source:

     The Falmouth Enterprise, “Dirigible Blown Out To Sea”, June 15, 1918, page 8.