Near Big Sur in Monterey County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

End of an Era

U.S.S. Macon ZRS-5

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 4, 2013

1. End of an Era Marker

Inscription. To commemorate the loss of the
U.S.S. Macon ZRS-5
12 February 1935
Plaque donated by the
Moffett Field Historical Society

Erected by Moffett Field Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is February 12, 1935.

Location. 36° 18.227′ N, 121° 53.957′ W. Marker is near Big Sur, California, in Monterey County. Marker can be reached from Cabrillo Highway (California Route 1), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Big Sur CA 93920, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Point Sur Light Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); On Top of the Rock (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cooper Cabin (approx. 2.9 miles away).

More about this marker. Point Sur State Historic Park is on the coast approximately 5 miles north of the town of Big Sur, California. The marker is located on the 'road' to the Point Sur Lighthouse, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Participation in the Point Sur Lighthouse tour is necessary to see this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Airships: The Hindenburg and other Zeppelins: USS Akron and USS Macon

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. The United States Navy airships U.S.S. Akron (ZRS-4) and U.S.S. Macon (ZRS-5) were designed for long-range scouting in support of fleet operations. Often referred to as flying aircraft carriers, each ship carried F9C-2 Curtiss Sparrowhawk biplanes which could be launched and recovered in flight, greatly extending the range over which the Akron and Macon could scout the open ocean for enemy vessels. (Submitted on September 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

2. USS Macon & Sparrowhawks - YouTube. Period video clip. (Submitted on September 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

3. USS Macon - YouTube. NOAA video of the underwater wreckage of the U.S.S. Macon. (Submitted on September 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 4, 2013

2. End of an Era Marker

Relic Recovered from the U.S.S. Macon image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 4, 2013

3. Relic Recovered from the U.S.S. Macon

U.S.S. Macon Recovering two Sparrowhawk Aircraft image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown

4. U.S.S. Macon Recovering two Sparrowhawk Aircraft

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 612 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.