As Bright As Day
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NS11 over Crewe
Photographs, whatever their quality, can often shine a light on new aspects of a story. Some time ago we were contacted by Mark Potts who had heard a rumour that NS11 had once flown over Crewe – apparently to keep a promise made by its commander Walter Warneford to...
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A girl called Pansy
It is said that every story needs a love interest. In the case of airship NS11 this is provided by Pansy Nina Grahame Chambers, together with a fair dose of intrigue, unsolved questions and an astonishing coincidence.
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New images of NS11 from Pulham
Our visit to the Pennoyer Centre in Pulham St Mary, Norfolk has opened a rich seam of imagery and information to help tell the story of NS11 and the North Sea airships. On a large interactive screen we were taken on a tour of some of the centre’s archives by the wonderful...
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New image of NS4
A new acquisition to the image library is this magic lantern slide of NS4 – probably taken during the winter of 1917/18. NS4 was one of the commands of NS11′s Captain W. K. F. G. Warneford. Seen here loaded with its maximum payload of six 230lb bombs (used for...
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North Sea Patrols – P. E. Maitland
Just over a month after the loss of NS3, I was given command as Captain of my own ship, NS9, on 28th July, 1918. My Second Officer was Cpt. S.B.Harris and I had a completely new crew apart from LAC Davis, who had been W/T operator on NS3. My new command passed its trial flight,...
Read MoreDedicated to the crew of North Sea Class airship NS11 – lost with all hands 15 July 1919
The story of the record-breaking airship NS11, her crew and the NS airships during, and beyond WWI.
Airship NS11 – Introduction
The North Sea class airship N.S. 11 was assembled and tested at RNAS Kingsnorth near Ashford in Kent. During July 1918 her two 260hp FIAT engines were prepared for fitting and propellors balanced. In early August she was fitted with a “East Fortune” type car built by Frederick Sage & Co. Ltd. N.S. 11 had a separate power car unlike the Wheelwright-design airships.
The Last Crew
All nine officers and crew of the NS11 were killed on 15th July 1919 when the airship was “struck by lightning” and burst into flames over the North Sea five miles north of Cromer, Norfolk. Despite an extensive search only two bodies were washed ashore – that of coxswain Sgt. Charles Henry Lewry and the ship’s mascot, an Airedale terrier.
Research is ongoing to piece together the backgrounds and stories of the men onboard NS11 that night. Lost early in their lives, many are without decedents which makes the task all the more difficult. With the help of researchers and family members we are, however, constantly adding to what we know.
CLICK ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EACH CREW MEMBER.
The Airship Service in WWI
As war broke out across Europe in August 1914, Britain had very few military airships. While Germany had invested time, money and faith in airship development, Britain had a handful of non-rigid and semi-rigid experimental (and foreign) airships with just 195 airship personnel. Germany on the other hand had ten tried-and-tested airships operated by both the German Navy and Army.
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The image was kindly provided by John Robertson of the Highland Aviation Museum who...
Surrender of the German Fleet. British airship N.S.8 flying over the surrendered ships in...
N.S.7 escorting surrender of the German Fleet. British Battleships leading the way with...
Image kindly provided by The Pennoyer Centre, Pulham.
It is said that every story needs a love interest. In the case of airship NS11 this is provided by Pansy Nina Grahame Chambers, together with a fair dose of intrigue, unsolved questions and an astonishing coincidence.
Kindly provided by the Pennoyer Centre, Pulham and the Owens family. Photograph taken by...
Kindly provided by the Pennoyer Centre, Pulham and the Owens family. Photograph taken by...
Kindly provided by the Pennoyer Centre, Pulham and the Owens family. Photograph taken by...
Kindly provided by the Pennoyer Centre, Pulham and the Owens family. Photograph taken by...
Kindly provided by the Pennoyer Centre, Pulham
Kindly provided by the Pennoyer Centre, Pulham
Control stations and panels of late model NS-Class airship built by Sage. Reproduced with...
Kindly provided by Mark Potts. Originally appeared in Crewe Guardian, 1919.
Just over a month after the loss of NS3, I was given command as Captain of my own ship,...
MR. WARNEFORD’S LOSS SON COMMANDER OF UNFORTUNATE N.S. 11 It was not until some time...
In what is probably one of the most-detailed newspaper reports into the loss of N.S.11,...
Wednesday 16 July 1919 AIRSHIP BURNT AT SEA LOSS OF 7 LIVES In the early hours of Tuesday...
So what is the connection between NS-Class airships and Mefistofele, Sir Ernest...
About this project
NS11 – As Bright As Day is very much a work in progress and has been made possible by the generous and enthusiastic support of many individuals and organisations. If you have any information, records or material relating to British NS Class airships we would be very interested to hear from you – especially anyone related to members of the crew of NS11 or any airship of the class during their service with the RNAS or RAF during and beyond WWI. Designed by Elegant WordPress Themes | Powered by WordPress
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