ИСТОРИЧЕСКИЙ СПРАВОЧНИК

A destroyer alongside USS "Lexington" (CV-2) as the carrier is abandoned during the afternoon of 8 May 1942. Note crewmen sliding down lines on "Lexington"s" starboard quarter.

Crewmen sliding down lines at the stern of USS "Lexington" (CV-2), as the carrier is abandoned during the afternoon of 8 May 1942. A whaleboat is standing by off the ship's starboard quarter and a motor launch is astern. Note TBD, SBD and F4F aircraft spotted on the flight deck. Identification markings on the torpedo planes and fighters appear to be white, while those on the SBDs appear to be black.

Survivors of USS "Lexington" (CV-2) are pulled aboard a cruiser (probably USS "Minneapolis") after the carrier was abandoned during the afternoon of 8 May 1942. Note man in the lower part of the photo who is using the cruiser's armor belt as a hand hold.

An explosion amidships on USS "Lexington" (CV-2), while she was being abandoned during the afternoon of 8 May 1942. This may be the explosion reported to have taken place at 1727 hrs, which was followed by a "great explosion" aft as stowed torpedo warheads detonated on the hangar deck. Note whaleboat underway in the foreground.

Explosion amidships on USS "Lexington" (CV-2), 8 May 1942. This is probably the explosion at 1727 hrs that took place as the carrier's abandonment was nearing its end. Ships standing by include the cruiser "Minneapolis" (CA-36) and destroyers "Morris" (DD-417), "Anderson" (DD-411) and "Hammann" (DD-412).

Explosion amidships on USS "Lexington" (CV-2), 8 May 1942. This is probably the explosion at 1727 hrs that took place as the carrier's abandonment was nearing its end. Ships standing by include two cruisers and several destroyers. Photographed from USS "Portland" (CA-33).
Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C., 1972. Collection of Captain Benjamin Perlman.

A heavy explosion on board USS "Lexington" (CV-2) blows an aircraft over her side, 8 May 1942. This is probably the "great explosion" from the detonation of torpedo warheads stowed in the starboard side of the hangar, aft, that took place just after the ship's Commanding Officer, Captain Frederick C. Sherman, left "Lexington". At left is the bow of USS "Hammann" (DD-412), which was backing away with a load of the carrier's survivors on board.

A "mushroom cloud" rises after a heavy explosion on board USS "Lexington" (CV-2), 8 May 1942. This is probably the "great explosion" from the detonation of torpedo warheads stowed in the starboard side of the hangar, aft, that followed an explosion amidships at 1727 hrs. Note USS "Yorktown" (CV-5) on the horizon in the left center, and destroyer USS "Hammann" (DD-412) at the extreme left.

USS "Lexington" (CV-2) burning and sinking after her crew abandoned ship during the Battle of Coral Sea, 8 May 1942. Note planes parked aft, where fires have not yet reached.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. (# NH 51382).