Wreckage found of World War Two aircraft carrier USS Lexington after 76 years

Agence France-Presse
Updated
- AFP or licensors
- AFP or licensors

The wreck of a United States aircraft carrier which helped to stop the Japanese advance across the Pacific in World War II has been discovered in deep waters 500 miles off Australia’s north-east coast. 

The USS Lexington, or “Lady Lex”, one of America’s first aircraft carriers, was found about 1.7 miles beneath the surface of the Coral Sea after a six-month search led by Paul Allen, a billionaire who co-founded Microsoft. 

The vessel, which fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea - the first ever battle involving aircraft carriers  - was deliberately sunk in May 1942 by another US vessel after taking crippling blows from two Japanese torpedoes and two bombs.

During the four-day battle, 216 crew members aboard the Lexington were killed and went down with the ship and the remaining 2,735 were evacuated before it was sunk to prevent it being captured. The ship is considered a war grave and will not be raised.

The Lexington’s rough location was known but it has not been seen since it sunk 76 years ago.

Video footage captured by an underwater drone showed  the carrier’s anti-aircraft guns and some of its 35 aircraft, including Douglas TBD Devastator torpedo bombers and Grumman F4F Wildcat fighters. The vessel and aircraft appeared to be in remarkably good condition.

The wreck was found two miles beneath the surface of the sea - Credit: AFP photo courtesy of Paul G Allen
The wreck was found two miles beneath the surface of the sea Credit: AFP photo courtesy of Paul G Allen

On one of the aircraft, an emblem of the cartoon character Felix the Cat could be seen as well as four miniature Japanese flags which  reportedly indicated "kills".

Admiral Harry Harris, the head of the US military's Pacific Command and the son of a sailor who was evacuated, paid tribute to Mr Allen and the crew of the Research Vessel  Petrel for their remarkable find.

This handout photograph obtained March 5, 2018 courtesy of Paul G. Allen shows wreckage from the USS Lexington, a US aircraft carrier which sank during World War II, that has been found in the Coral Sea - Credit: AFP
This handout photograph obtained March 5, 2018 courtesy of Paul G. Allen shows wreckage from the USS Lexington, a US aircraft carrier which sank during World War II, that has been found in the Coral Sea Credit: AFP

"We honour the valour and sacrifice of the Lady Lex's sailors - and all those Americans who fought in World War II - by continuing to secure the freedoms they won for all of us," he said. “This is our heritage.”

Preserved aircraft could be clearly seen on the seabed - Credit: AFP photo courtesy of Paul G Allen
Preserved aircraft could be clearly seen on the seabed Credit: AFP photo courtesy of Paul G Allen

The four-day battle has been credited with helping to save Australia from a full-scale Japanese invasion.

Mr Allen’s search missions have discovered numerous wrecks in recent years, assisted by developments in underwater search technology.

Paul Allen Underwater Exploration

His teams have discovered the wreck of the USS Ward, credited with firing America’s first shots in World War II, the Japanese battleship Musashi, and the ship’s bell from the British battle cruiser HMS Hood, which was sunk by the German warship Bismark in 1941.

“As Americans, all of us owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who served and who continue to serve our country for their courage, persistence and sacrifice,” Mr Allen said following the Lexington’s discovery.