Joseph Späh

Joseph Späh. He was an American vaudeville acrobat and comedian, best known as one of the most notable survivors of the catastrophic Hindenburg disaster in 1937. His dramatic escape from the burning airship, aided by his acrobatic skills, became a central part of the disaster's narrative. Following the event, he was briefly suspected of sabotage by German authorities, though he was fully exonerated, and he later returned to his career in entertainment.

Early life and career

Born in Philadelphia, Späh developed an interest in performance from a young age. He pursued a career as an acrobat and comedian, working on the American vaudeville circuit under the stage name "Ben Dova." His act often involved comic acrobatics and balancing feats, which required significant physical agility and timing. By the mid-1930s, he was performing internationally, which led to his fateful decision to book passage on the LZ 129 ''Hindenburg'' for a return trip from Frankfurt to Lakehurst. He was traveling with his German Shepherd dog, which was carried in the ship's cargo area, a detail that would later influence his actions during the disaster.

Hindenburg disaster

On May 6, 1937, Späh was aboard the Hindenburg as it attempted to dock at Lakehurst Naval Air Station. As the airship caught fire and began to crash, he was in the passenger quarters. Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind, he used his acrobatic training to kick out a window after the initial impact. He then clung to a ledge outside the burning wreckage, waiting for the hull to drop closer to the ground before jumping to safety, a maneuver that likely saved his life. His primary concern during the escape was reportedly for his dog, which he later recovered unharmed from the cargo section. In the immediate aftermath, Hugo Eckener, the head of the Zeppelin Company, and Nazi officials, including members of the Gestapo, suspected sabotage and focused their initial investigation on Späh due to his frequent visits to the cargo area to feed his pet and his profession as an entertainer, which they viewed with suspicion. He was extensively questioned by both American and German investigators but was completely cleared of any wrongdoing, with the official U.S. Commerce Department inquiry attributing the cause to an electrostatic discharge igniting the airship's hydrogen.

Later life and death

After the disaster, Späh returned to his career in show business, continuing to perform in vaudeville and later in television during its early years. He made appearances on various programs and maintained a relatively private life away from the intense media spotlight that followed the Hindenburg tragedy. He eventually settled in Delaware, working in the electronics industry later in life. He gave occasional interviews about his experience, providing a unique and personal account of one of the 20th century's most famous transportation disasters. He passed away in Newark, Delaware in 1986. His firsthand testimony remains a valuable part of the historical record of the event, which was heavily documented by newsreel companies like Pathé News and immortalized by the dramatic radio broadcast of reporter Herbert Morrison.

Category:1905 births Category:1986 deaths Category:American acrobats Category:American vaudeville performers Category:Survivors of aviation accidents or incidents Category:People from Philadelphia