Return to Naval Historical
Center home page.
Return to Online
Library listing
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
Lieutenant Commander Zachary Lansdowne, USN, (1888-1925)
Zachary Lansdowne was born in Greenville, Ohio, on 1 December
1888. He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1905 and graduated
in 1909. In June 1911, following two years' service aboard the
battleship Virginia,
he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. During the next
five years Lansdowne served in the destroyer McCall and
had recruiting and Naval Militia duty in Ohio. He then received
aeronautical instruction at Pensacola, Florida, and Akron, Ohio.
In September 1917, Lieutenant Lansdowne was sent to England for
training in the operation of dirigibles. He spent the rest of
the First World War, and the first months of 1919, at the Navy
Department and at air stations in France.
In July 1919, Lieutenant Commander Lansdowne served on board
the British rigid airship R-34 during its historic non-stop
flight across the Atlantic to the United States. Service followed
at the Navy Department, at Akron, Ohio, and as a White House Aide.
He was Assistant Naval Attache in Germany in 1922-1923, during
which time his duties involved negotiations that resulted in the
construction of USS Los
Angeles (ZR-3), the Navy's second rigid airship.
Lieutenant Commander Lansdowne took command of USS Shenandoah
(ZR-1) early in 1924. Over the next year and a half he
carried out an energetic development program with her, including
operations at sea and a trans-Continental flight to California.
While on a long-distance flight to the Midwest on 3 September
1925, Shenandoah encountered fierce weather conditions
and crashed
in southern Ohio. Zachary Lansdowne was among those who lost
their lives in this accident.
The destroyer USS Lansdowne
(DD-486), 1942-1949, was named in honor of Lieutenant Commander
Lansdowne.
This page features all the views we have of Lieutenant Commander
Zachary Lansdowne (1888-1925).
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 48388
Lieutenant Commander Zachary Lansdowne, USN
Photographed on 7 July 1919, following his arrival at Mineola,
New York, on board the British airship R-34, which had
flown to the United States from the United Kingdom.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 62KB; 540 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 85130
Lieutenant Commander Zachary Lansdowne, USN
Photographed circa the early 1920s.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 67KB; 570 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 85128
Lieutenant Commander Zachary Lansdowne, USN,
Commanding Officer, USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)
In the airship's control car, laying out a course. Photographed
at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey, June 1924
Note the engine order telegraphs and other instruments.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 575 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 85129
Lieutenant Commander Zachary Lansdowne, USN,
Commanding Officer, USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)
Wearing a fur collar flight suit, 1924
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 49KB; 565 x 765 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 53147
British airship R-34
Officers who had crossed the Atlantic aboard the R-34,
photographed following her arrival at Mineola, New York, on 7
July 1919. They are identified as (from left to right):
Lieutenant Commander Zachary Lansdowne, USN, Observer;
Lieutenant Wallace Durant, RAF, Wireless Officer (apparently
wearing a U.S. Navy uniform);
Lieutenant Guy N. Harris, RAF, Meteorlogical Officer;
Major J.F.M. Pritchard, RAF;
Brigadier General E.M. Maitland, CGM, DWO, British Air Ministry;
Lieutenant H.F. Luck, RN, Second Officer; and
Lieutanant J.D. Shotter, RN, Engineer Chief.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 129KB; 740 x 585 pixels |
 |
Photo #: NH 52770
USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)
Five of the airship's officers, all of whom were killed when
she crashed on 3 September 1925.
Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken at Naval Air Station
Lakehurst, New Jersey, some time prior to the tragedy, and published
in the "Evening Star", Washington, D.C., Friday, 4
September 1925.
Those present are (left to right);
Lieutenant Commander Zachary Lansdowne, Commanding Officer;
Lieutenant Commander Lewis Hancock, Jr., Executive Officer;
Lieutenant John B. Lawrence;
Lieutenant Arthur R. Houghton; and
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Edgar W. Sheppard.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 181KB; 740 x 530 pixels |
 |
Return to Naval
Historical Center home page.
Page made 15 December 2002