The Blue Ghost - USS Lexington

The USS Lexington (CV 16) is an Essex-class aircraft carrier built during War World II for the United States Navy. During WWII she earned the nickname "The Blue Ghost" by the Japanese as there were many reports that the ship had been sunk, only to reappear later.

She was decommissioned in 1947, to be recommissioned in 1955 after she had been updated and reclassified as an Attack Carrier. After serving in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and the Pacific, she was eventually decommissioned once again in 1991, and now sits in Corpus Christi, Texas as a museum.

The Lexington's ghost stories would begin when in 1943 (shortly after reporting for duty), she was torpedoed by a Japanese sub resulting in some men being killed. The Lexington also suffered a great loss of life when in November of 1944, she was hit by a Japanese kamikaze plane attack. Between these attacks, along with other loss of life in the action she saw throughout her carrier, it is no wonder why people may feel that some of the sailors have chosen to stay on and continue to serve.

Some of the hauntings of the Lexington include people seeing shadow figures, being touched, feeling nauseous along with unexplained noises. The Lexington's most famous resident is probably that of a blue eyed engine room worker, known as Charlie. Charlie is described as blue eyed, blonde hair and buff. He apparently likes to make himself known to pretty ladies, as well as answering questions down in the engine room to various tour groups.

Upon my trip to the USS Lexington, I headed right to the engine room. Although the ship was busy that day, I was fortunate enough to have some time down there to myself. Although I didn't capture any EVP's or hear/see anything out of the ordinary, I must say, that the area has a very "remembering" feel to it. You can't help but imagine the men working hard in the area, and also, the devastation the area saw during the attacks.

With the devotion that the US military has to the country, especially to the men of the "Greatest Generation," it is no surprise that sailors would remain on duty. Should I ever make it back to Texas, I hope to have more time to further investigate this magnificent ship.

Have any of you been to the USS Lexington? What were your experiences?