Zeppelins

In January 1916, during the First World War, German Zeppelins appeared in the skies over Boston. The first raids went over without incident but on the night of September 2nd 1916 Zeppelin L23 dropped bombs on Boston for the first time.

Zeppelin L23.

Four bombs hit the town, with the one striking the Grand Sluice causing the most damage. One member of the lock-keepers family was killed and several more people injured. Boston was only bombed because the Zeppelin involved in the raid had intended to bomb London but was unable to find its target because of bad weather. In January 1917 four anti-aircraft guns were stationed in Boston for defence but although Zeppelins continued to pass over the town it was never bombed again.