Lexington (CVA 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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1 In March, I776 the Marine Committee ot the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. One member spoke of a Maryland brig :in Philadelphia which was ideal to tight oFF British ships and sug- ,. gested that the committee purchase it. . The vessel in question was the 86-toot brig WILD DUCK-trim, pierced for I7 guns and equipped with I6 tour-pounders. On March 22, I776, following a brief reconditioning period, the ship was commissioned. ' For 18 months the flrst LEXINGTON participated against the British, protecting American coastal trade. ln September, 1777 she drew the tlre of the HMS ALERT. The smaller American ship's guns were ineltective against the larger British man-ot- war girded with 76 guns. After a shot chase LEXINGTON was captured and a British prize crew returned her' to England. This small brig, although captured, did not dishonor the name LEXINGTON. She was chased down by a tar superior ship, more than twice her size. This LEX had been decisive in the capture of I8 British merchantmen and two large sloops. On June II, l826, the Sloop ot War LEXINGTON was commis- sioned and sent to protect American fishing vessels oft the coast of Labrador. In T843 she sailed to the Mediterranean and several years later was sent to the Pacific Squadron. During the Mexican War LEXINGTON operated along the coast ot California, assisting in the blockade of Mexican ships. The gallant sloop returned to the East in the early l85O's and shortly after ioined Commodore Matthew C. Perry's Expedition to Japan. She remained in the Far East tor two years and returned to New York in T855 where she was decommissioned and sold. Iiirst Ioxiogtoo -lor Illoo rooolotioo 1 I soooool Ioxiogtoo -ioitlo Ioolory to joooo In the years of a divided nation, a LEXINGTON flew Union colors. O O In 1861 Q third Lex was christened at Pittsburg. throoghouf me it Civil War LEXINGTON discouraged the advances of Confederate ships into northern rivers and supported troop movements. :lor ltlllo oortlo

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iiire sailed im llilieiriy I 2 THIS IS THE ATTACK AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LEXINGTON. It is a proud and illustrious vessel-a ship with an exciting tale to tell. LEXINGTON has walked hand in hand with American history for almost 200 years, tour previous ships and their brave crews laying the path for CVA I6. LEXINGTON-ea name older than the United States itself, a title borne proudly by five men-ot-war in the United States Navy. The year is I775. The United States of America is not yet born, the Declaration of Independence is not yet a reality. The seed of rebellion has been sown though, and the settlers of the New World yearn to have a government to call their own. Rumors seep through to the British that the settlers are stor- ing arms in the city of Concord, Massachusetts. Eight hundred English troops are dispatched to destroy or confiscate the ma- terial. Nlarching to Concord they are unhampered and their progress is quick-until they reach a small town inhabited mostly by farmers. The town is of no signiflcance, some small place called LEXINGTON. As they crossed the bridge a band of 70 farmers armed with muskets appear on the opposite end, blocking their path. The British commander, angered by the insult, orders the small band to disperse. They stand fast, undaunted by the threat. The order is given to fire, and the shot heard round the world is discharged. The Revolutionary War has begun. On the sound waves of that shot ride two namesg LEXINGTON and MINUTEMEN. With the beginning of the War for Freedom, the name LEXING- TON stood as a symbol to the unorganized settlers. It was here where the power of the British was first challenged, it was here where the fight began, it was here where the spirit was born.

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ANOTHER LEXINGTON fourth since the early days of AmerlCG lt was first authorized as a battle cruiser In August l9l6 Then in accordance with the terms of the Washington Treaty for Limitc tion of Armaments was converted to an aircraft carrier and launch ed on October 3 l925 at the Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy Massachusetts USS LEXINGTON CCV 21 and her sister ship USS SARATOGA CCV 31 were the tlrst carriers except for the experimental LANGLEY At the tlme of her launching LEXINGTON was the heaviest ship ever bullt She started her early days ln a hls torlc mood settmg varlous speed and perseverance records 21 IITIWII era steam, aircraft One particular boatswains mate aboard LEXINGTON from l925 to when she was sunk at the Battle of the Coral Sea in T942 once wrote in the ships paper: This is not a history by any means but perhaps I should tell of a couple high points in the LEXs career. In the winter of l929 the Pacific Northwest had a very severe cold spell. Because of the freezing conditions the hydro- electric power supply of Tacoma was cut off. Whoever thought of using the LEX for such a iob I don't know, but we steamed up there and tied up beside the Coleman dock. For three months her power plant furnished all that was needed for the community with some to spare. That tremendous power came into play again in T934 when it was decided the see what the old girl could do in a speed run. We left San Pedro and less than 75 hours later anchored off Honolulu .... The dear old LEX was tlrst in everything. Every war game the Fleet had, she came through in tlnding the enemy tlrst... At the outbreak of World War Two LEXINGTON was prepared to do her job. The men of this ship were exceptionally pround of her, and never called her LEXINGTON. She was always the Old Girl, the Old Lady, Lady Lex or the Big Girl.