The Fate of USS Lexington: Assessing the Time to Return to Combat

Introduction

The sinking of the USS Lexington in May 1942 marked a significant loss for the United States Navy during the pivotal Battle of the Coral Sea. This article explores the hypothetical timeline for the repair and return to combat of the USS Lexington, Had the ship not been lost during the battle, how long would it have taken for her to return to service?

Step 1: A Week of Being Towed to a Port in Australia

After the explosion and subsequent emergency towing, the USS Lexington would have needed extensive repairs. A week of being towed to a port in Australia was the first step. Any port in Australia might have been considered, but the port's suitability would depend on the availability of a dry dock. The nearest and largest ports, such as Brisbane or Sydney, might have had the capability, but the actual dry dock capacity was uncertain. The immediate priority would have been to cover the holes with temporary plating and pump out the interior compartments. Assessing the extent of the damage and whether the ship could return to Pearl Harbor under its own power would have been crucial.

Step 2: A Long and Slow Journey South of the Solomons to Pearl Harbor

Given the potential for Japanese surveillance and the threat of submarines, a long and slow journey south of the Solomons to Pearl Harbor would have been necessary. This voyage could have taken several weeks. During this time, the USS Lexington would have been under the constant threat of Japanese submarines and other naval patrols. The journey would have required careful planning and the deployment of protective measures such as anti-submarine warfare techniques and escort ships.

Step 3: Drydock at Pearl Harbor

Upon reaching Pearl Harbor, the USS Lexington would have undergone a period of shore-side repair. Temporary plating would have been reinforced to allow for faster movement during further repairs. Machinery repairs, which were critical for the ship's function, would have been prioritized. The next logical step would have been the relocation of the USS Lexington to Bremerton, Washington for a full-scale overhaul.

Step 4: Full Repairs and Upgrades

The full repairs and upgrades would have required a significant amount of time. This phase would have involved a complete rebuild of the damaged areas, machinery repairs, and the installation of new equipment such as torpedo blisters, an expanded flight deck, and enhanced anti-aircraft weaponry. According to accounts of similar damage, this period could have lasted anywhere from four to six months. The ship would emerge from this extensive overhaul better than new, but she would have missed crucial battles such as Midway, Santa Cruz, and Eastern Solomons.

Assessment and Repair Timeline

Assuming that her damage was repairable, the USS Lexington could have been repaired within a timeframe of six to twelve months. Carriers were seen as vital in the Pacific war, and if the USS Lexington could return to harbor in her own power, she could have been repaired. If not, she would have been sunk in place. Once in harbor, the ship could have undergone repairs, but the exact time back in service would have been unknown until the damage was assessed.

Comparison with USS Saratoga

The USS Saratoga, the sister ship of the USS Lexington, provides a useful comparison. After being damaged at the Battle of Coral Sea, the USS Saratoga required over six months of repairs and returned to the Solomon Islands area to support the Guadalcanal Campaign. USS Saratoga's ability to return to service highlights the critical role of repair facilities and the time required to fully restore a damaged carrier.

Conclusion

The hypothetical timeline for the repair and return to service of the USS Lexington underscores the challenges faced by naval forces during World War II. The extensive damage control, extensive repair, and the complex logistics involved in bringing a damaged carrier back to operational status would have undoubtedly taken several months. The USS Lexington's repair timeline, had she survived the Battle of the Coral Sea, would have been closely tied to the availability of repair facilities and the extent of her damage.