 VSEL shipyard was the main target for bombing alongside Barrow's steelworks which were formerly the largest in the world.Many Barrovians believe the first sign of German interest of the town was in May 1936, when the Hindenburg Zeppelin flew very low and slowly over Barrow, which locals and government officials alike believed was spying on the shipyard, although it claimed to be simply carrying passengers on a luxury trip.The town, with a population of around 75,000 in 1941, was targeted by the "Luftwaffe" mainly for its shipbuilding industry (similar to the Clydebank Blitz) which was one of the most sophisticated in the world and built many submarines and ships for the Royal Navy.