Activities Early in the War
The Navy followed suit and in October, 1912, bought the L-1 ([Plate 6]), for experimental and training purposes in connection with the fleet. The L-1 carried 706,200 cubic feet (20,000 cubic meters) of Hydrogen and proved its worth on its trial flight from Friedrichshafen, thence north over Germany to Helgoland in the North Sea, thence to the Baltic, side trips here and there, and finally to the airship harbor at Johannisthal where it was to be stationed. The flight lasted 34 hours.
| Year | Builder's Designation | |
| 1900 | LZ-1 | |
| 1908 | LZ-5 | |
| 1913 | LZ-18 | |
| 1915 | LZ-40 | |
| 1916 | LZ-62 | |
| 1917 | LZ-104 African Ship | |
| 1918 | LZ-113 Last of War Types | |
| 1919 | LZ-120 “Bodensee” and “Nordstern” |
Development of the Zeppelin from 1900 to 1919.
This persuaded the Naval officials that Zeppelins were essential in marine warfare both for offense and defense. Another order was placed, this time for a Zeppelin of much larger dimensions. It was christened the L-2 and delivered in September, 1913 ([Plate 6]). This ship represented an utterly new departure in design, later universally adopted. A corridor was built forming a keel on the inside and bottom of the ship ([Plate 7]). It had a gas capacity of 953,370 cubic feet (27,000 cubic meters) and was equipped with four motors of 180 horsepower each.
Being the first of the kind it was inevitable that the corridor arrangement should develop a flaw. It lacked proper ventilation. Hydrogen leaked out from the ship and was drawn into the motor gondolas. On one of its first flights this caused an explosion on the L-2 which sent it to the ground a wreck.