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KF5JRV > TODAY 27.02.26 11:47z 33 Lines 2218 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 20784_KF5JRV
Read: GUEST
Subj: Today in History - Feb 27
Path: HB9ON<DK0WUE<K7EK<DK0WUE<F1UBL<K1AJD<VE3CGR<VA3BAL<VE2PKT<PY2BIL<
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Sent: 260227/1137Z 20784@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA BPQK6.0.24
The U.S. Navyâ€Ös first aircraft carrier, the Langley is sunk by Japanese warplanes (with a little help from U.S. destroyers),
and all of its 32 aircraft are lost.
The Langley was launched in 1912 as the naval collier (coal transport ship) Jupiter. After World War I, the Jupiter was convert
ed into the Navyâ€Ös first aircraft carrier and rechristened the Langley after aviation pioneer Samuel Pierpont Langley. It was
also the Navyâ€Ös first electrically propelled ship, capable of speeds of 15 knots. On October 17, 1922, Lt. Virgil C. Griffin
piloted the first plane, a VE-7-SF, launched from the Langley's decks. Although planes had taken off from ships before, it was
nevertheless a historic moment. After 1937, the Langley lost the forward 40 percent of her flight deck as part of a conversion
to seaplane tender, a mobile base for squadrons of patrol bombers.
On December 8, 1941, the Langley was part of the Asiatic Fleet in the Philippines when the Japanese attacked. She immediately s
et sail for Australia, arriving on New Yearâ€Ös Day, 1942. On February 22, commanded by Robert P. McConnell, the Langley carryi
ng 32 Warhawk fighters, left as part of a convoy to aid the Allies in their battle against the Japanese in the Dutch East Indie
s.
On February 27, the Langley parted company from the convoy and headed straight for the port at Tjilatjap, Java. About 74 miles
south of Java, the carrier met up with two U.S. escort destroyers when nine Japanese twin-engine bombers attacked. Although the
Langley had requested a fighter escort from Java for cover, none could be spared. The first two Japanese bomber runs missed th
eir target, as they were flying too high, but the Langley's luck ran out the third time around and it was hit three times, sett
ing the planes on her flight deck aflame. The carrier began to list. Commander McConnell lost his ability to navigate the ship.
McConnell ordered the Langley abandoned, and the escort destroyers were able to take his crew to safety. Of the 300 crewmen, o
nly 16 were lost. The destroyers then sank the Langley before the Japanese were able to capture it.
73 de Scott KF5JRV
Pmail: KF5JRV@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA
Email KF5JRV@gmail.com
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