History
Name	Washington (1890-1910) Lexington (1910-1935)
Owner	Colonial Nav. Co.
Port of registry	New York City, United States
Builder	Harlan & Hollingsworth
Yard number	258
Completed	1890
Acquired	1890
In service	1890
Identification	WBCZ Official number: 81310
Fate	Collided with Jane Christenson and sunk 2 January 1935
General characteristics
Type	Passenger ship
Tonnage	1,249 GRT
Length	75 metres (246 ft 1 in)
Beam	14 metres (45 ft 11 in)
Depth	4.7 metres (15 ft 5 in)
Installed power	1 x 3-cyl. triple expansion engine
Propulsion	Screw propeller
Speed	15 knots
Capacity	150 Passengers
Crew	51

SS Lexington was an American Passenger ship that collided with Jane Christenson and sank on 2 January 1935 on the East River in New York City while carrying general cargo and 201 passengers and crew from New York to Providence, Rhode Island.^[1]

Construction

Lexington was built at the Harlan & Hollingsworth shipyard in Wilmington, Delaware in 1890. Where she was launched and completed that same year. The ship was 75 metres (246 ft 1 in) long, had a beam of 14 metres (45 ft 11 in) and a depth of 4.7 metres (15 ft 5 in). She was assessed at 1,249 GRT and had 1 x 3-cyl. triple expansion engine driving a single screw propeller. The ship could reach a maximum speed of 15 knots.^[1]

Sinking

Lexington left New York City on a voyage to Providence, Rhode Island on 2 January 1935 while carrying a general cargo and 201 passengers and crew. While she was steaming along the East River to reach New York Harbor, the ship collided with the SS Jane Christenson. The Jane Christenson broke the Lexington in half and sank her in the shallow waters, resulting in the death of 6 crew members. The 195 survivors were led back to shore and the Jane Christenson's damage was repaired after which she continued service until 1967.^[1]

Wreck

The partly sunken wreck was scrapped as it posed a danger to other ships in the river.^[1]

References