Perched high above the flight deck of the U.S.S. Lexington on the 8-inch guns of the forward turrets, these young women do not appear at all nervous during their visit to the aircraft carrier in December, 1929. The Navy did permit tours of the ship which was tied up at Baker Dock from mid-December, 1929, to mid-January, 1930, to provide power to the City of Tacoma. Schoolchildren and Boy Scouts were among those who visited the large ship. On December 23, 1929, Freda Gardener, of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, Ethel Haasarud, RKO cashier, and Naomi Dykeman, head usher, Fox Rialto, were present to promote the Chamber of Commerce's big dance for the Lexington's enlisted men to be held on December 26 at the Greenwich Coliseum. They would be the judges awarding prizes to the most handsome, most happy and best dancer present at the dance. TPL-1774 (T.Times, 12-23-29, p. 1)

Utilities Commissioner Ira S. Davisson is flanked by Tacoma Mayor James G. Newbegin and U.S.S. Lexington commander, Capt. Frank D. Berrien, on December 16, 1929, as they happily examine hook-up plans that will allow the aircraft carrier to provide much needed power to Tacoma. Severe drought conditions caused Tacoma to take an unprecedented step in requesting the aid of the powerful ship in generating supplemental electricity. (T.Times, 12-16-29, p. 1)

Sailors clean deck of U.S.S. Lexington while three young ladies watch, December 23, 1929. Tied up at Baker Dock, the Lexington's mission was to supply Tacoma with auxiliary power during the city's electrical crisis. Chores still had to be completed, however, even when guests were present. Ethel Haasarud, Freda Gardner and Naomi Dykeman appear amused at the switch in roles. They were aboard promoting the big Chamber of Commerce dance for enlisted Lexington personnel on December 26th; the women would act as judges in awarding prizes to the sailors chosen as the most handsome, most happy and best dancer. TPL-1776 (T.Times, 12-23-29, p. 1, TDL 12-24-1929 p.3)

January 1930 would have started off as a very dark year in Tacoma without the assistance of the U.S.S. Lexington, pictured here encircled by mist at Baker Dock. She arrived in Tacoma about December 17, 1929, and remained to mid-January, 1930, to provide electricity to the City of Tacoma. A severe drought in 1929 had left dams without sufficient water. After much negotiation, the fourth largest ship afloat (at that time) was ordered by the Navy to aid Tacoma; it was the first time in history that a ship had provided power for a city. The U.S.S. Lexington, badly damaged in the 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea by Japanese fire, would be sunk by the American destroyer, U.S.S. Phelps. TPL-006.

3 young ladies looking at cannon of U.S.S. Lexington, December, 1929. The Navy did permit some tours of the ship which had come to Tacoma to assist in the production of auxiliary power. These young women appear intrigued at the size of the Navy's firepower. They had persuaded the ship's officers to lower the 8-inch guns so that they could more closely view the muzzles. Ethel Haasarud, Freda Gardner, and Naomi Dykeman were the panel of judges of the "Supreme Beauty Court of Tacoma." These ladies would choose the most handsome, most happy, and best dancer at the big Chamber of Commerce dance for enlisted personnel of the Lexington on December 26th. TPL-005 (T.Times, 12-23-1929, p. 1)

From mid-December, 1929 to mid-January, 1930 the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington used its enormous generators to provide electricity for the city of Tacoma. It took four powerful navy tugboats assisted by three Foss tugs to push the 33,000 ton vessel into position at the Baker Dock. A severe drought had greatly reduced the amount of electricity available to Tacoma from the city's hydro-electric dams. During its month long stay the Lexington generated enough power to furnish 25% of the city's power needs. (T.Times, 12-16-29, p. 1)

Lt. Cdr. H.L. White, Chief Engineer, and U.S.S. Lexington commander, Capt. Frank D. Berrien, flank Tacoma Mayor James G. Newbergin on the deck of the massive aircraft carrier in December, 1929. The ship is berthed at Baker Dock and shortly will be pouring electricity into Tacoma's power lines. By the time the Lexington left in mid-January, it had generated over 4 million kilowatt hours.

ca. 1929. U.S.S. Lexington at Baker Dock. This photograph is undated but was probably taken in the winter, mid-December to mid-January, of 1929-30 when the Lexington steamed into Commencement Bay and tied up at Baker Dock. The aircraft carrier was summoned to help Tacoma in their power shortage; it was the first time that a ship was used in this capacity. She would generate over 4 million kilowatt hours of electrical power. Bowen # 310-129

ca. 1929. U.S.S. Lexington in Puget Sound. This photograph is undated but may have been taken roughly in the winter of 1929-30 when the Lexington streamed into Commencement Bay and tied up at Baker Dock. The small dory alongside the ship possibly carried the mayor of Tacoma, James Newbegin, and other dignitaries. The aircraft carrier was summoned to help Tacoma in their power shortage; it was the first time that a ship was used in this capacity. She would generate over 4 million kilowatt hours of electrical power. The Lexington, known as the "Queen of the Flattops," was launched in 1925 and was armed with twelve five-inch .25 calibre anti-aircraft guns, 4 six-pounder saluting guns and eight three-inch .55 calibre breechloading rifles. She performed humanitarian relief efforts during the Nicaraguan earthquake of 1931 and also made a futile search for Amelia Earhart when the aviatrix disappeared in 1937. The ship was sunk during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. (Marine Digest, 6-9-73, p. 11-16) TPL-009

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;

Grainy December, 1929, photograph of the U.S.S. Lexington tied up at Baker Dock. After much discussion and negotiation, the U.S. Navy ordered the aircraft carrier to help the City of Tacoma by supplying auxiliary power. Severe drought conditions had rendered hydro plants inoperable and conservation methods employed were simply not enough to stave off a power crisis. The Lexington's monthlong stay would generate enough power for 25% of the city's needs. It allowed the city to turn on its streetlights, store lighting, and resume night shifts. (Tacoma Public Utilities Story: the First 100 Years: 1893-1993, p. 91-93)

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

On board the U.S.S. Lexington, aircraft carrier known as the "Queen of the Flattops,"in mid-December, 1929, were those instrumental in bringing emergency power to Tacoma. L-R, Chief Engineer Lt. Cdr. H.L. White, General Electric (maker and owner of the generators) representative Robert E. Lee, Utilities Commissioner Ira S. Davisson, City Light Supt. Llewellyn Evans, Tacoma Mayor James G. Newbegin (appointed in March of 1929 to replace the resigning Melvin G. Tennent), and ship commander, Frank D. Berrien. Tacoma experienced a severe shortage of electricity due to drought conditions; the Lexington, with its enormous generators, would deliver over 4 million kilowatts or about 25% of the city's power. TPL-1775. ALBUM 16.

U.S.S. Lexington (United States Navy); Aircraft carriers--United States; White, H.L.; Lee, Robert E.; Davisson, Ira; Evans, Llewellyn; Newbegin, James G.; Berrien, Frank D.; Power shortages--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1929. U.S.S. Lexington, aircraft carrier, who came to the aid of the City of Tacoma and provided electricity from mid-December, 1929, to mid-January, 1930. The ship was berthed at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton with Capt. Frank D. Berrien in command. The fourth Navy ship to bear that name, she had been built by the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation of Quincy, Mass. Her overall length was 888 feet and she had four turbo-generators. TPL-1937

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