FATE OF LEXINGTON
INTERNAL EXPLOSION
'. (Rec. 2 p.m.) RUGBY, June 12. Additional details are given of the sinking of the U.S. aircraftcarrier Lexington, which was the flagship of Rear-Admiral Fitch, Despite skilful handling and all available fighter protection and anti-aircraft defences, the Lexington was hit by two torpedoes and by at least two bombs and further damaged by several near misses. These attacks were in the last action in the Coral Sea Battle.- The crew of the Lexington succeeded in putting out the fires and recovering her ; aircraft. Several hours after the battle, while she was steaming at 20 knots, a terrific internal explosion rocked the Lexington, causing serious fires to break out in.many parts of the ship. At first it was thought the explosion was the result of a bomb. Investigation, however, revealed that the probable cause was ignition of gasoline vapours. The crew fought for over five hours to save the ship, but were unsuccessful and the crew was taken off by destroyers.—B.O.W.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19420613.2.87
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1942, Page 6
Word Count
165FATE OF LEXINGTON Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 138, 13 June 1942, Page 6
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