Researchers discovered an exceptionally well-preserved “ghost wreck” from World War II off California. The find offers exciting insights into maritime history.
San Francisco – The seas hold countless secrets – including remnants of times long past. One of these relics was recently discovered off the coast of California: the wreck of the destroyer USS Stewart. The “Ghost Ship of the Pacific” lay undiscovered at the bottom of the sea for almost 80 years. Now, years after it was sunk, a team of underwater archaeologists and marine scientists found the wreck, according to a press release.
The spectacular find was achieved through the use of autonomous underwater vehicles controlled by the company Ocean Infinity. These high-tech robots search the seabed, scan huge areas and provide detailed images of previously unexplored regions. In August 2023, the wreck of the USS Stewart was discovered about 50 miles (about 80 km) northwest of San Francisco at a depth of around 3,500 feet (about 1,065 meters). It is located within the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.
Within hours, the autonomous vehicles mapped an area of about 127 square kilometers of the seafloor and came across the wreckage. Particularly impressive: Despite being under water for almost eight decades, the 314-foot (approx. 96 m) long warship was in remarkably good condition. Covered by sponges and surrounded by marine life, it lies upright and almost intact on the bottom.
Exceptional degree of preservation: Researchers find warship that has been sunken for 80 years
The USS Stewart looks back on an eventful history. Originally launched in 1920 as a destroyer for the US Navy Commissioned, the ship played a significant role in the Pacific War. During the Battle of Bali in 1942, the Stewart suffered heavy damage and was scuttled in the port of Surabaya, Java, by her own crew to avoid falling into the hands of the Japanese.
But the story took a surprising turn: a year after it was sunk, the wreck was raised, repaired and used for patrols by the Japanese armed forces. So the Stewart fought on both sides of the war. After the end of World War II, the ship was recaptured by the Americans and briefly returned to service before it was finally decommissioned in 1946 and sunk during gunnery exercises off the coast of California.
This unusual journey earned the Stewart the nickname “Ghost Ship of the Pacific” because American pilots spotted the ship behind enemy lines during the war.
Technological masterpiece: Research team finds USS Stewart on the ocean floor
The discovery of the wreck opens up fascinating new perspectives for maritime archaeology. According to experts, the ship offers unique insights into the engineering and construction of warships from the early 20th century. Despite the long stay under water, the structure of the ship is excellently preserved. “This level of preservation is exceptional and makes the USS Stewart one of the best-preserved destroyers of its kind,” said Maria Brown, director of the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary New York Times. The find could help further deepen our understanding of the development of warships in the first half of the 20th century.
The use of modern underwater technology, such as that used by Ocean Infinity on this mission, marks a turning point in ocean floor exploration. Autonomous underwater vehicles are now essential for exploring shipwrecks and other historical relics that were previously considered unreachable. The use of this technology enables high-resolution mapping and surveys that provide valuable scientific data. In May 2024, a similar find made headlines when divers on a legendary wreck of a “cursed ship” pushed. (ls)
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