River Gunboat USS Lexington (1861) - Lexington, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 26.957 W 071° 13.750
19T E 316685 N 4702069
A monument honoring the third U.S. naval ship named Lexington, the River Gunboat USS Lexington, is located behind the visitors center east of Lexington Battle Green in Lexington. MA.
Waymark Code: WMQR52
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 03/22/2016
Views: 4
Near the historic Lexington Battle Green the Lexington Lions Club and the U.S.S. Lexington CV-16 Association has installed a series of monuments honoring the five United States naval ships that were named Lexington. On the left of the row of monuments is a monument consisting of a bronze plaque affixed to a granite base. The plaque for the third USS Lexington, a River Gunboat, is inscribed:
3RD LEXINGTON
RIVER GUNBOAT
SIDEWHEEL STEAMER PURCHASED BY WAR
DEPARTMENT IN 1861 AND CONVERTED INTO A
GUNBOAT WITH FOUR 8-INCH GUNS AND TWO
32-POUNDERS. IN THE CIVIL WAR THE
LEXINGTON SWEPT MISSISSIPPI RIVER SYSTEM
AND SPEARHEADED DRIVES ON CUMBERLAND
AND TENNESSEE RIVERS. SHE PLAYED A VITAL
ROLE IN THE CAPTURE OF FORT HENRY AND
FORT DONELSON, HELPED TO SAVE GENERAL
GRANT’S TROOPS FROM DISASTER AT SHILOH,
PROVIDED COVER FOR GENERAL SHERMAN
AT CHICKASAW BLUFFS, AND ATTACKED
VICKSBURG. LED FLOTILLA IN SUCCESSFUL
EXPEDITION UP THE RED RIVER IN 1864.
LATER CAPTURED THREE CONFEDERATE
STEAMERS AT BEULAH LANDING, MISSISSIPPI.
DECOMMISSIONED 2 JULY, 1865.
Relevent website: [Web Link]
List if there are any visiting hours:
Always available
Entrance fees (if any):
0
Date dedicated: 04/18/1988
Sponsor(s): Lexington Lions Club and the U.S.S. Lexington CV-16 Association
Parking coordinates: Not Listed
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