Business Standard

Lost WW2 aircraft carrier found in Australia

IANS  |  Canberra 

The wreckage of a US that was sunk during the World War Two has been found off the east coast of Australia, authorities said on Tuesday.

The USS Lexington was found on Sunday located at a depth of about 3 km in the Coral Sea, reports the

The ship was lost in the Battle of the from May 4 to 8, 1942.

More than 200 crew members died in the fighting.

The US Navy confirmed the ship had been discovered by a led by

Pictures showed the wreck to be well preserved.

The discovery of the Lexington, along with 11 of its 35 aircraft, was made by Allen's company

Adm Harry Harris, of the US Pacific Command, praised the discovery, reports the

"As the son of a survivor of the USS Lexington, I offer my congratulations to and the expedition crew of Research Vessel (R/V) Petrel for locating the 'Lady Lex'," he said on Tuesday.

The Battle of the is considered a key moment in halting Japan's advance in the Pacific during the war.

The Lexington was scuttled by US forces after being struck by several Japanese torpedoes and bombs during the battle.

The ship will not be retrieved because the US Navy considers it to be a war grave.

--IANS

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Tue, March 06 2018. 10:14 IST
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