USS Lexington

[Aragorn243]

No Essex Class carriers were lost to enemy action. One almost was, the USS Franklin but they were able to get the damage under control and tow it back. This was late in the war when we pretty much had control of the seas. Several carriers may have survived had we been in this situation earlier in the war but with the threat of Japan capturing them, they chose to skuttle them.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

I was visiting my old assault craft unit on Coronado. The XO asked if we (wife and I) wanted a ride in the new jet boats. I asked why me, he said they don't get many combat veterans back for visits. Who could pass that up. Four hours anywhere we wanted to go in San Diego harbor. My point, being on a Navy boat we were able to go right up to the hull at the waterline of the Midway. I've been on the ship tour many times, but it's different looking up than down. If anyone has a ship close by I highly suggest taking it's tour. BTW our new jet boats can do 52 knots and tun at full speed. It was a fun ride for me.

[browningautorifle]

BTW our new jet boats can do 52 knots and tun at full speed. It was a fun ride for me.

Where were those when you wanted one?

[Flying10uk]

When HMS Illustrious came out of service a couple of years ago we were told by our politicians that it would not be scrapped and that it would remain in the U.K., as a preserved ship. It is looking very much like she will be heading for the scrap yard in the very near future, just like her sister ships, H.M.S. Ark Royal and Invincible.

[imntxs554]

Looks like another reason to come down there...I've seen the Iowa in old Port of LA and several visits from USS Carl Vincent and USS Abe Lincoln here in Victoria but not one of these.

What Have I been telling you, Jim....LoL

[Hooks]

The Lady Lex was for many years at NAS Pensacola. it was used as a training carrier. After it was decommissioned we lost it to Texas. Couldn't raise enough money to keep her.

[Peter Laidler]

Magnificent photographs Jim........

[Merle]

No Essex Class carriers were lost to enemy action. One almost was, the USS Franklin but they were able to get the damage under control and tow it back. This was late in the war when we pretty much had control of the seas. Several carriers may have survived had we been in this situation earlier in the war but with the threat of Japan capturing them, they chose to skuttle them.

That's really splitting hairs - they ere damaged by enemy action, weren't they?

[browningautorifle]

That's really splitting hairs

See the link in post 10... "Franklin Essex Class 31 Jan 1944 Stricken from the Navy List 10 Oct 1964" The question was were they sunk?

[Merle]

See the link in post 10... "Franklin Essex Class 31 Jan 1944 Stricken from the Navy List 10 Oct 1964" The question was were they sunk?

The question pertains to those that were scuttled by US forces after being badly damaged by the Japanese.