Lexington's Log

Seventeen years ago, the fast, graceful Mauretania outstripped her sister liners, logged 676 nautical miles in 24 hours. On a swift dash to Honolulu in 1923, the light cruiser Omaha set a 24-hr, record of 690 miles and linked the U. S. with Hawaii in 75 hours, 40 minutes, 40 seconds.

Last week, the U. S. aircraft carrier Lexington lifted anchor at San Pedro, Calif., bound for Honolulu. It broke the 24-hr, record the first day out, steaming 700 miles. It broke it again on the second day with 742 miles. On the third day it raced 770 miles to port. The Lexington with Capt. A. W. Marshall in command, had made the fastest sea passage ever logged between the U. S. and Hawaii, covering 2,228 nautical miles in 72 hours, 34 minutes; also the world's record for 24-hr, runs.

Naval authorities, less interested in records than in significance, hailed the cruise of the Lexington as evidence of far-sighted building. No British carrier (Glorious, Furious, Courageous) is so big or so fast as the U. S. Lexington, Saratoga. The Japanese Akagi and Kaga would be outdistanced in a day. Carrying some 76 planes, the Lexington and Saratoga could steam to join the fleet in midocean, send out a battle squadron and keep a strong unit for self-defense.

Gratified, the navy department hoped for appropriations to build more carriers, planned smaller, lighter ships to keep within the treaty allowance.