| LZ 54 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Rigid airship |
Class |
|
| National origin |  German Empire
|
Operator |
|
| Built by | Luftschiffbau Zeppelin |
| Construction number | LZ 54 |
| Serial | L 19 |
| Flights | 14 |
| History | |
| First flight | 27 November 1915 |
| Last flight | 1 February 1916 |
| Fate | Crashed in the North Sea |
Zeppelin LZ 54, given the military tactical designation L 19, was a Zeppelin of the Imperial German Navy. While returning from her first bombing raid on the United Kingdom in early 1916, she came down in the North Sea. Its crew survived the crash, but drowned after the crew of a British fishing trawler King Stephen refused to rescue them, citing fears that the Germans would overpower them. The incident received worldwide publicity and divided British public opinion, and was used in German propaganda.