Why Dirigibles?

[RyanW]

Originally Posted by maximara

While ships were slower they could carry far more cargo. In fact even though airplanes are faster ships are still the go to for long distance cargo transport even in our modern day.

Aircraft are pretty much express cargo delivery (think mail, not materials). Interestingly, transoceanic passenger air service began largely to milk a little more money and prestige out of lucrative mail routes.