I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937 Read online

  Had Kohl caught the spy?

  Was there trouble with the zeppelin?

  But then Mr. Singer turned to Dad.

  “Mr. Ballard, your wife needs you to come back to the cabin right away.”

  Dad went pale.

  And somehow Hugo understood.

  It wasn’t the Hindenburg that was in danger.

  It was Gertie.

  “I’m sorry,” Mr. Singer said to Dad. “But it seems your daughter is very sick.”

  The next few hours went by in a nightmarish blur.

  Gertie’s fever had spiked to 105 degrees. The ship’s doctor, Dr. Rudinger, was trying everything to cool her off, but nothing was working.

  And the worst part was that Hugo wasn’t allowed into the cabin. He and Dad had to wait in the hallway while the doctor and Mom took care of Gertie.

  Day turned to night, and Hugo lost all sense of time.

  He prayed and tried to calm himself with his favorite memories — seeing the Yankees beat the Red Sox, walking through the bright green hills of the Thika Valley after a strong rain, sharing a mango with the one-eared baboon. But those happy pictures would flicker and fade. And all Hugo could think about was his little sister, lying pale and still in her bed.

  And then he couldn’t think at all. His mind filled up with a terrible clawing fear, as if a big black bird were trapped inside his skull.

  It was very early in the morning when Dr. Rudinger finally stepped out of their cabin.

  “She’s stable now,” he told them. “We finally got her fever down.”

  Hugo almost fainted with relief.

  Dad grabbed the doctor’s hands. “Thank you, Doctor.”

  “We’ll have an ambulance waiting at the airfield when we land.”

  Dad looked at his watch.

  “Thank goodness,” Dad said. “We land at six A.M. That’s only three hours from now.”

  The doctor shook his head. “No, sir. There have been strong headwinds across the Atlantic. And now there are storms all along the East Coast. We’re running at least eight hours behind schedule.”

  Eight hours?

  Hugo’s knees went weak, and Dad looked like he might get sick.

  The doctor put a hand on Dad’s shoulder. “Your little girl is very tough, Mr. Ballard.”

  He promised to check back within the hour.

  Hugo and Dad went into their cabin. Gertie was sleeping, and Mom was sitting by her bed. Mom looked like she’d just returned from a back-breaking journey.

  Mom got up and hugged Hugo.

  “Can I sit with her?” Hugo asked.

  “Of course.”

  “I’ll take your mother to stretch her legs,” Dad said. “We’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  Hugo sat in the chair and laid a careful hand on his sister’s forehead. She still felt hot, but not like she was burning up.

  He knew he should let her sleep. But he needed to hear her voice.

  “Gertie,” Hugo whispered. “It’s me.”

  Gertie’s eyes fluttered open.

  “Oogo,” she rasped.

  Their eyes locked together.

  Some invisible evil was attacking his sister, and Hugo could do nothing to help her.

  I’m sorry, Hugo wanted to say, sorry that I can’t protect you.

  He’d never felt more helpless.

  He leaned closer to Gertie, taking her hand.

  “Gertie,” he said. “Is there anything you want?”

  If she’d wanted the moon, Hugo would have climbed out the window and ripped it out of the sky for her.

  But his sister didn’t want the moon.

  She looked at Hugo.

  “Panya,” she whimpered.

  Gertie wanted her dog.

  When Mom and Dad came back, Hugo told them he was going out to the big windows to get some fresh air. But instead, he made his way down to the lower deck. He followed the route that they’d taken with Mr. Singer earlier.

  He was going to sneak into the cargo area and get Panya.

  The hallways were quiet, but Hugo heard voices whispering from some of the rooms. Twice he had to duck behind corners to avoid being spotted by members of the crew. But luckily there was no guard posted in front of the door leading out of the passenger area. He managed to slip through without getting caught.

  The inside of the airship’s body was very dark, and it took a moment for Hugo’s eyes to adjust. Earlier, the light of the sun had shone through the Hindenburg’s skin, giving the interior a bright glow. But now the air looked inky black. The few bulbs hanging from the girders cast a ghostly light.

  Hugo swallowed hard and headed down the narrow walkway until the noises of the engines pounded in his ears. He kept walking toward the very back of the zeppelin. He passed a very big sign with the angry-looking words:

  ZUTRITT VERBOTEN

  Hugo was pretty sure that meant something like keep out.

  He was in the cargo area now, surrounded by shelves piled high with trunks and crates. Above him, the gas bags whispered quietly.

  And then a familiar sound:

  “Garoo, garoo, garoo!”

  Panya must have smelled Hugo coming, and now Hugo just had to follow the howls. He walked to the very back, and there was a big wicker cage. Hugo popped open the door and Panya leaped into his arms.

  The little dog’s tail whipped back and forth. Hugo stood there for a moment, nuzzling his dog, happily accepting a shower of slobbering licks.

  “Gertie needs you,” Hugo whispered. “And now you have to stay very quiet.”

  Panya looked at Hugo, his eyes suddenly alert.

  Let’s go, he seemed to say.

  But before they’d even made it out of the cargo area, Hugo heard footsteps.

  Someone was coming!

  He ducked behind a large wooden crate, tucking Panya into his shirt.

  “Shhh,” he warned.

  Peeking up, Hugo could see the shadowy shape of a man heading toward them.

  Hugo figured it was a member of the crew on a nightly inspection.

  But as the man got closer, Hugo could see a fuzzy puff of hair and the glint of round glasses.

  It was Mr. Singer!

  Hugo almost jumped up. Mr. Singer must be looking for Hugo. He wanted to help him find Panya!

  But wait.

  Hugo had told nobody about his plan to sneak back here. So how would Mr. Singer have known to come looking?

  And if he wasn’t coming to help Hugo, what was Mr. Singer doing in this forbidden area of the zeppelin? He’d said himself that not even he was allowed in this rear cargo area.

  The hairs on Hugo’s arms prickled as he watched Mr. Singer study the shelves. Finally, Mr. Singer stopped at a large wooden box. He lifted the lid and rummaged inside. Moments later, he pulled out a large envelope.

  In the low light, Hugo could just make out a huge swastika stamped onto the front.

  And words in big block letters.

  STRENG GEHEIM!

  Again, even without knowing German, Hugo understood. Whatever was inside that envelope was important.

  Hugo’s whole body tingled as it suddenly dawned on him.

  Marty’s father was the spy.

  Marty’s father!

  It seemed crazy, until it made perfect sense.

  Everyone on the Hindenburg trusted Mr. Singer. He knew his way all around the zeppelin. He had probably been allowed to skip the inspections at the airport. And he even acted friendly with Colonel Kohl. Nobody would suspect that smiling Mr. Singer was actually a courageous spy. Which made him perfect for the job.

  But then Hugo’s amazement turned to fear as voices echoed from the front of the zeppelin. And there was no mistaking the sharp hissing voice that rose up louder than the others.

  It was Kohl.

  Mr. Singer’s eyes scanned all around. And then he caught sight of Hugo, and his eyes grew wide with shock. But quickly the look seemed to change.

  I need your help, Mr. Singer seemed to say.


  The sound of footsteps and threatening voices got louder and louder.

  Mr. Singer tucked the envelope under his arm and rushed over to the ladder. It reached up into the gas cells, and then to a walkway that led to the front of the ship.

  But the ladder was so tall. Mr. Singer would never make it up in time!

  Colonel Kohl would catch him. And then what?

  Hugo remembered Mr. Merrick’s chilling warning.

  That spy will be shot on the spot!

  A wave of fear crashed over Hugo, nearly knocking him down.

  He crouched lower.

  He felt small and helpless, the way he felt when he was sitting by Gertie’s bed, watching her get burned up by those terrible fevers.

  He couldn’t help Gertie. And there was nothing he could do to help Mr. Singer.

  But then Hugo’s mind suddenly flashed to his friend, the one-eared baboon.

  Hugo remembered watching the baboon at the watering hole one day.

  There was a giant hippo, and it was terrorizing any animal that dared try to get close.

  But the baboon figured out how to distract the hippo. He threw rocks to the other side of the watering hole, where it was too muddy to drink. When the hippo got up to investigate, the baboon rushed over to slurp up a big refreshing helping of water.

  By the time the hippo turned around, the baboon was long gone.

  Hugo thought for a moment, suddenly inspired.

  No, he couldn’t stop Kohl searching for the spy.

  But maybe Hugo could distract Kohl so he wouldn’t spot Mr. Singer on the ladder.

  Before he knew for sure that he had the courage, Hugo was on his feet. Panya wriggled out of Hugo’s shirt and stood tall in his arms, ready for anything.

  Just then Kohl appeared out of the darkness, trailed by the two Nazi officers and four members of the Hindenburg’s crew.

  “Halt!” he barked.

  In one hand Kohl held a bright flashlight, which beamed blindingly into their eyes.

  In the other he held his Luger pistol, which he aimed at Hugo’s heart.

  “What are you doing here?” Kohl hissed. “It is forbidden for you to be in this part of the zeppelin.”

  “I’m sorry,” Hugo answered, his voice shaking. “My sister is sick, sir. She wanted to see our dog. I came to get him. I know it’s against the rules.”

  Kohl took a step closer, and Panya began to growl menacingly.

  “Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr.”

  Panya only made that noise when he saw cobras or scented a leopard or some other dangerous beast that could threaten Hugo or Gertie. Hugo didn’t doubt that given the chance, the dog would attach its jaws to Kohl’s throat.

  “Silence that wretched little Hund,” the Nazi thundered. “Or I will have it thrown from the zeppelin.”

  Hugo pulled Panya closer into his chest.

  “A crew member reported that he saw a man back here,” Kohl said. “It is urgent that we find him. This man is very dangerous.”

  Somehow Hugo managed to look Kohl right in the eye.

  “There is no one back here, sir,” Hugo said softly. “Only me.”

  Kohl inched closer to Hugo.

  “You know, young man, I can always tell if a person is lying. A liar’s sweat gives off a stench, like rotting flesh.”

  He leaned in, putting his nose close to Hugo’s face. He sniffed.

  Panya growled, but Hugo held him back.

  Maybe this Nazi really did have the power to sniff out a lie. Some animals could smell fear, Hugo knew.

  But Hugo hadn’t lied, not really.

  Mr. Singer wasn’t here. Not anymore.

  “The man we are looking for is a filthy criminal,” Kohl said. “He is a traitor. Anyone caught helping this man will be arrested.”

  “I’m telling the truth, sir,” Hugo said, his voice more steady now. “You can come with me to see my parents. The doctor has been with my sister for hours.”

  Colonel Kohl kept his icy eyes on Hugo. But now Hugo could see it — the unmistakable look of disappointment on the Nazi’s face.

  Kohl hadn’t caught the spy.

  He’d caught a boy with his dog.

  And by now the real spy was on his way back to the passenger area.

  “Don’t let me see you back here again,” Kohl warned. “If I do, I will lock you up.”

  Then he ordered one of the crew members to take Hugo back to his cabin.

  Mom and Dad stared in shock when Hugo walked in with Panya.

  He went straight over to Gertie.

  Without a word, he put Panya down on the bed.

  Gertie opened her eyes and gasped.

  And then she looked at Hugo as if he really had brought her the moon.

  Her face became more peaceful as Panya snuggled up to her.

  Hugo watched as his sister drifted off to sleep.

  “Hugo, how?” Mom said.

  “Did Mr. Singer help you?” Dad said.

  Hugo nodded but said nothing more. He knew he couldn’t tell Mom and Dad what he’d seen. If Mr. Singer got caught, and Kohl figured out that Mom and Dad knew the truth, they could be arrested — or worse.

  Hugo climbed into bed next to his sister and their dog, wrapping his arms around both of them. He was done thinking for now.

  The worst was over, he told himself.

  Later that morning, the Hindenburg would land.

  And nothing more could go wrong.

  Overnight, the weather had turned dark and stormy. The Hindenburg flew down the coast of New England through a tunnel of thick gray clouds. The patter of rain sounded like a million rocks pounding against the zeppelin.

  But the mood was brighter inside their cabin because Gertie had woken up without a fever. As they were getting dressed for breakfast, there was a knock on the cabin door. Hugo’s heart dropped into his stomach.

  What if it was Colonel Kohl coming to arrest him, and Mom and Dad, too?

  What if he’d caught Mr. Singer?

  But Mom opened the door, and Hugo almost fainted with happiness at the sight of Mr. Singer and Marty.

  Marty rushed over to hug Gertie, and to meet Panya. She didn’t notice the long look Hugo and Mr. Singer shared. With that one look, Mr. Singer managed to tell Hugo he was safe.

  For now.

  Gertie felt well enough to go to breakfast, and Panya didn’t whimper too much when they left him in the cabin. The whole dining room seemed to light up when Gertie walked in. They sat with their friends, and the usual lively chatter rose up around them.

  But all Hugo could think about was Colonel Kohl. The Nazi had stalked his prey to the cargo room last night. He had lost the trail. But Kohl would not give up.

  Mr. Singer was still in terrible danger. He wouldn’t be safe until he was off the Hindenburg.

  Hugo just wanted this zeppelin to land.

  But the stormy weather slowed them down, and the hours dragged on.

  Hugo passed the time with Gertie and Marty in the lounge. At noon they flew over Boston, but it was so cloudy Hugo barely got a glimpse of Fenway Park.

  By 3:00 P.M. they’d made it to New York City, and the clouds cleared. The ship dipped down so they could see the 102-story Empire State Building, the tallest building in the world. They could actually see people waving to them from the building’s observation deck.

  Lakehurst, New Jersey, was a short distance from New York City, and hopes rose that the zeppelin would finally be able to land. Packed suitcases lined the hallways. Some passengers even put on their coats. But then word came that a new line of thunderstorms had rolled in, and that landing would be too dangerous.

  The zeppelin zoomed away from New York City and back out to sea. Mom brought Gertie to the cabin to nap with Panya. And for hours Hugo and Marty sat together as the zeppelin circled slowly over the New Jersey coast. Thunder rumbled all around them, and they could see the huge waves pounding angrily against the shore.

  It was close to 7:00 P.M. when the skies finally s
tarted to clear, and rays of sun broke through the clouds. Hugo felt the airship turn sharply and then gain speed.

  “I think we’re going to land!” Marty said.

  And sure enough, within just a few minutes, the Lakehurst airfield came into view.

  Hugo spotted an enormous building — the Hindenburg’s hangar. Beyond it was a big open field where the landing crew was already waiting. There must have been at least two hundred men.

  Meanwhile the lounge was filling up with passengers. People lined up at the windows, just as they had three days ago when the Hindenburg took off.

  Mr. Singer appeared.

  “You should get your family,” he said to Hugo. “We’ll be on the ground within minutes.”

  They shared a smile, and a feeling of relief washed over Hugo. But it didn’t last long.

  Because just then a voice called out.

  “Herr Singer!”

  Hugo whipped around.

  Kohl was walking toward them with the other two Nazi officers.

  He looked at Mr. Singer.

  “Herr Singer, could you join us in the control car? Captain Pruss has asked for you.”

  Hugo’s guts turned to jelly.

  But Mr. Singer remained calm.

  “I’ll be delighted to see the captain after we land,” he said.

  Kohl stepped forward.

  “I’m afraid it’s urgent,” he said coldly.

  He pulled his gun from his belt.

  Marty screamed.

  And then,

  Kaboom!

  But the blast had not come from Kohl’s pistol.

  It seemed to have come from somewhere above, somewhere deep within the zeppelin.

  Kohl himself looked startled — and confused.

  Had the zeppelin been struck by lightning?

  Hugo looked out the windows, but he saw no clouds.

  What he could see were the faces of the men standing on the ground. They were gaping at the Hindenburg, their eyes wide with shock and horror. Some of the ground crew were actually sprinting away, as if they were running for their lives.

  And then came a violent jerk. The tail of the zeppelin suddenly dropped down, dumping Hugo and everyone else onto the floor. They all went sliding back, a wave of frantic people rolling down the sloping floor. Elbows jabbed at Hugo. A sharp heel kicked his forehead. Someone’s knee pressed so hard on his neck he couldn’t breathe. He wound up against the back wall, mashed behind at least ten bodies and a jumble of overturned tables and chairs.