In March 1921, Major John G. Thornell and his crew were detailed to Italy to procure a new experimental airship for the United States Army Air Service. Stationed at Langley Field in Hampton, the ROMA never lived up to expectations despite being heralded as the future of military innovation. Tragically, it crashed and erupted in a ball of fire in 1922, claiming the lives of thirty-four of the brave men aboard. Author Nancy E. Sheppard reveals the forgotten, harrowing story of one of the last great airships and those who sacrificed for the promise of a new era in aviation.
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In March 1921, Major John G. Thornell and his crew were detailed to Italy to procure a new experimental airship for the United States Army Air Service. Stationed at Langley Field in Hampton, the ROMA never lived up to expectations despite being heralded as the future of military innovation. Tragically, it crashed and erupted in a ball of fire in 1922, claiming the lives of thirty-four of the brave men aboard. Author Nancy E. Sheppard reveals the forgotten, harrowing story of one of the last great airships and those who sacrificed for the promise of a new era in aviation.
In March 1921, Major John G. Thornell and his crew were detailed to Italy to procure a new experimental airship for the United States Army Air Service. Stationed at Langley Field in Hampton, the ROMA never lived up to expectations despite being heralded as the future of military innovation. Tragically, it crashed and erupted in a ball of fire in 1922, claiming the lives of thirty-four of the brave men aboard. Author Nancy E. Sheppard reveals the forgotten, harrowing story of one of the last great airships and those who sacrificed for the promise of a new era in aviation.
Details
Pages: 192
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
Imprint: The History Press
Series: Disaster
Publication Date: 25th January 2016
State: Virginia
Illustration Note: Black and White
ISBN: 9781467119207
Format: Paperback
BISACs: HISTORY / United States / State & Local / South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Aeronautics & Astronautics SCIENCE / Mechanics / Aerodynamics TRANSPORTATION / Aviation / History
Reviews
"Sheppard, a Hampton Roads native who studied history at ODU, does an excellent job of telling Roma's story. Her worthwhile book is extensively researched, drawing on many eyewitness accounts as well as official records and other sources, and lavishly illustrated, including many pictures never before published." Timothy J. Lockhart, The Virginian-Pilot
Author Bio
NANCY E. SHEPPARD is a two-time award nominated non-fiction author, historian, and public speaker based out of Southeastern Virginia. Aside from her work as an author and historian, she is the editor-in-chief and a photojournalist for the newspaper, Yorktown Crier-Poquoson Post, and serves on the York County Historical Committee.
In March 1921, Major John G. Thornell and his crew were detailed to Italy to procure a new experimental airship for the United States Army Air Service. Stationed at Langley Field in Hampton, the ROMA never lived up to expectations despite being heralded as the future of military innovation. Tragically, it crashed and erupted in a ball of fire in 1922, claiming the lives of thirty-four of the brave men aboard. Author Nancy E. Sheppard reveals the forgotten, harrowing story of one of the last great airships and those who sacrificed for the promise of a new era in aviation.
Pages: 192
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
Imprint: The History Press
Series: Disaster
Publication Date: 25th January 2016
State: Virginia
Illustrations Note: Black and White
ISBN: 9781467119207
Format: Paperback
BISACs: HISTORY / United States / State & Local / South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV) TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Aeronautics & Astronautics SCIENCE / Mechanics / Aerodynamics TRANSPORTATION / Aviation / History
"Sheppard, a Hampton Roads native who studied history at ODU, does an excellent job of telling Roma's story. Her worthwhile book is extensively researched, drawing on many eyewitness accounts as well as official records and other sources, and lavishly illustrated, including many pictures never before published." Timothy J. Lockhart, The Virginian-Pilot
NANCY E. SHEPPARD is a two-time award nominated non-fiction author, historian, and public speaker based out of Southeastern Virginia. Aside from her work as an author and historian, she is the editor-in-chief and a photojournalist for the newspaper, Yorktown Crier-Poquoson Post, and serves on the York County Historical Committee.
