Port Aransas South Jetty (Port Aransas, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 27, 1997 Page: 47 of 66
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Port Aransas South Jetty
1997-98 Winter Visitors' Guide
Paqe 29
•
*rnamm
Getting
Aeceni;
All aboard!
Ferryboats run 24 hours a day,
seven days a week all year
long crossing the Corpus Christi
USS Lexington is floating museum on hay
______........ ... J Island Taxi 749-5589 V
ome aboard the USS
1 Lexington Museum On
^ The Bay — a true living
legend. The Lexington. also known
.is The Blue Ghost", set more
records than any carrier in U S.
Naval history and fought in nearly
every major operation in the Pa-
cific Theater.
The decommissioned aircraft
carrier now operates as a museum
in the shadow of Corpus Christi's
Harbor Bridge li features six tours
and more will he opening this sum
mer
During World War II. the
Islington's planes destroyed more
than 170 enemy aircraft in the air
and 475 more on the ground After
WWII, she was modernized and
reactivated in 1955. Operating pri
mariIy in the Seventh Fleet out of
San Diego, Calif., she kept an off-
shore vigil on (he tensions in
Formosa. Laos and Cuba. In 1962.
the Islington began her career as a
training carrier in Pensacola. Fla .
where she served for almost 10
years
The Islington was decommis-
sioned Nov. 26. 1991 after which
Corpus Christi won the honor of
becoming home to this national trea-
sure. The 980-f.oot. 16-deck.
.1.1,000-ton carrier is now perma-
nently at port, serving as an impor-
tant historical repository and unique
naval museum catering to visitors
who want to view a true living
legend
Located |usi off Corpus Christi
Beach, below the Harbor Bridge,
(he museum attracts visitors from
all over the country and the world.
Since the museum opened in 1992.
I 5 million visitors have toured the
ship
Once aboard, visitors have their
choice of six tour routes, educa
tional exhibits, restored aircraft and
a collection of historical memora-
bilia Tours include the Hangar
Deck. Flight Deck/Bridge. CO/
Admiral's Quarters, and the Fo'c'sle
and Engine room/Sick Bay
The sixth touropened last spring
Walk from the Flight Deck into the
starboard aft Gun Tub to get an up-
close and-pcrsonal look at the Quad
40's. The antiaircraft guns were part
ol the Lexington's primary line of
defense against enemy aircraft.
After leaving the Gun Tub. the tour
takes visitors through one of the
Arresting Gear Rooms. This is the
machinery that control led the cables
that stretched across the flight deck
to "trap" landing planes.
The POW Exhibit opened last
summer. The Texas Chapter of Ex -
POW’s contributed memorabilia
honoring service men taken cap
tive during America's wars. The
focal point is a Japanese Hag that
flew over a POW camp near
Nagasaki
Nineteen aircraft are on board,
including a fully restored F-14
fighter jet, a Huey Cobra gunship
(helicopter), the "Yellow Peril" hi
plane and one of the last A-6 In
iruders to 11 y off an aircraft carrier
The VB 19 ready room has been
restored to its original condition,
complete with uniforms, helmets
and memorabilia from former mem-
bers. In the Air Group 16 ready
room, visitors can sit in the chairs
where pilots got their briefings be-
fore flying off into battle, and listen
to the music of the big band era
The newest attraction on the car
rier is the Air Group 19 Exhibit li
recognizes those who served on
board the USS Islington as Air
Group 19 during World War II It
features photos of VF-19. the air
group's fighter squadron and a
change of clothes offered to a pilot
rescued by Philippine guerrillas
alter he was shot down by the en-
emy The Air Group 19 Exhibit is
on Tour #1 which includes the
Admiral Felix B Slump Gallery
and the Captain sand Admiral Quar-
ters
It you've ever wondered what it
would be like to take off and land
on an aircraft earner, the USS tsx-
mgton has a motion (light Simula
tor that is the next best thing to the
real thing.
In addition to tours, the Isxing
ton is also building a reputation as
one of the area's most unique ven-
ues for conferences, parties and
other special events The museum
also offers two special on-board
programs for scouts and youth
groups from schools. churches and
community organizations.
"Live Aboard" is an overnight
stay/activity program for scout
troops and other youth groups. The
program package includes three
meals, a guided tour of the Isling-
ton. a visit to the a attraction and
Kite Museum, sleeping accommo-
dations in the ship's original
berthing areas and flight simulator
rides. There are also a number of
on-board activities such as wash-
ing a plane with a fire hose, rope
climbs and knot typing competi-
tions. The program is available
daily, year-round except forChrist-
mas Day. Contact the Special
Events Department at (512) 888-
4871 for more information
Several education programs are
offered aboard the museum, and
teacher training is provided so
teachers can then lead their stu-
dents through the programs Among
the programs are "Science Aboard
Ship", "Where in the World Was
the USS Lexington"’" and "Hunt
for History"
The Museum is open for tours
daily from 9 a.m to 8 p m. from
Memorial Day through l^abor Day
After Labor Day the museum closes
at 5 p in. Admission is$9foradults,
$4 for children and $6 for senior
citizens and active military. Handi
capf»ed individuals may view the
Hangar Deck free of charge. Spe-
cial rates for groups of 10 or more
people are available.
For more information call (512)
888-4873 or 1-800 LADY-LEX.
The south jetty is 6,200 feet
long from the UTMSI dock.
The north jetty is about 7,000
feet long.
Island Taxi, 749-5589, VHS
Channel 16 Complete
transporation service in and
around the Coastal Bend
The Trolley, free trolley makes
a 48-minute circulator route
from the airport on the south
side of town through Roberts
Point Park on the north end of
town Route includes the Uni-
versity of Texas Manne Sci-
ence Institute, the south jetty,
Horace Caldwell Pier and the
Port Aransas Birding Center
Riders may flag down the trol-
ley anywhere along the route
which is marked by colorful wind
socks. Maps of the route are
available at the Chamber of
Commerce-Tourist Bureau an
city hall Daily service 10 ami \
to 5:30 p m
Port Aransas Aviation, at
Mustang Beach Airport, across
FM 361 from Beach Access
Road 1A Unmanned
3,500x75-foot lighted airstrip
under jurisdiction of the City of
Port Aransas
Corpus Christi International
Airport, Corpus Christi Visi-
tors to Port Aransas arriving via
commercial airline may get to
and from the airport via the Flexi-
B. Call City Hall at 749-4111 for
details. Other options including
renting a car, or taking a taxi or
airport limousine to Port
Aransas Several agencies are
located adjacent to the baggage
claim area of the airport About
a 40 minute ride from the airport
to Port Aransas.
The Flexl-B, operated by the
Corpus Christi Regional Trans-
portation Authority Medical,
shopping and sightseeing trips
Call City Hall, 749-4111 for route
information
Tlllllllllllll
Bird's Nest
1 Hour Photo & Gifts
1305 S. Alister (2 blocks South of Ave. G) Port Aransas
9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Saturday
(512) 749-4554
n
Quality Photo Finishing
Birding Journals
Field Guides
Unique Gifts
Bird Feeders
ESCAPeSMNinUi
Decorative Bird
Houses
Cameras
Pentax Binoculars
AGFA ♦
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Judson, Mary. Port Aransas South Jetty (Port Aransas, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 48, Ed. 1 Thursday, November 27, 1997, newspaper, November 27, 1997; Port Aransas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth623433/m1/47/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Ellis Memorial Library.