Lexington's loss becomes a fire, flooding, and evacuation case study

The first torpedo jammed Lexington's elevators and opened leaks around aviation-fuel storage, while the second ruptured a water main, flooded fire rooms, and reduced speed. Bomb and near-miss damage added fire and flooding before gasoline vapors ignited. Successive explosions disabled the main damage-control station and later destroyed water pressure in the hangar. The captain ordered abandonment only after the fires became uncontrollable. The task force rescued 2,770 officers and men, although 216 crew were killed and 42 aircraft went down with the ship. Seven Devastators, three Dauntlesses, and one Wildcat were reported in good condition on the wreck. Individually survivable hits combined into a carrier loss as fire, water, fuel, and damaged control systems interacted.