From How
the Cadillac Got Its Fins by Jack Mingo:
When World
War II started, the company built 168 blimps for observation and antisubmarine
missions. They patrolled both coasts and accompanied naval vessels. One blimp
was the center of a mystery that has never been solved.
In the early
hours of August 16, 1942, the airship Ranger took off from Treasure Island in
San Francisco Bay with a crew of two. It carried two antisubmarine depth bombs.
That afternoon, residents of Daly City, down the peninsula from San Francisco,
were surprised to see a blimp coming in for a perfect landing in the middle of
a residential street.
The blimp
was well-stocked with fuel and helium, its batteries were charged, the radio
was operating, and emergency life raft and parachutes were on board. Everything
seemed to be fine, except for a few small details: The door was open; one depth
charge was gone; and both members of the crew were missing. Neither man was
ever seen again.
The navy
never came up with a satisfactory explanation.