U.S.S. Lexington tied up at old Baker Dock below Stadium Bowl, December, 1929. Power cables are attached to her side. Tacoma received an early Christmas present as the large aircraft carrier was used as an auxiliary power plant to lend a helping hand to the City suffering from severe drought conditions. During its one month stay, it provided over four million kilowatt hours of electricity to a city whose residents had been utilizing candles, kerosene lamps, and living with dim streetlights and smaller night shifts. The Lexington made its last power deliveries to Tacoma on January 16, 1930, and departed for San Francisco the following day. TPL-1936; G71.1-117.

U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; Power shortages--Tacoma;

This photograph taken in December, 1929, is of the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Lexington, who came to Tacoma's rescue in an acute power crisis due to severe drought conditions. Power cables run from the ship's generator to a transformer on Baker Dock. About this time rain finally started to fill the lakes necessary for the operation of power plants; with the addition of the Lexington's auxiliary power, Tacoma was able to once again function normally. The Lexington stopped power deliveries to Tacoma on January 16, 1930, and departed for San Francisco the following day. TPL-1857; G71.1-118

U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; Power shortages--Tacoma; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;