In a remarkable find, the wreckage of the American warship USS Stewart, also known as the “Ghost of the Pacific,” has been located off the coast of Japan. This destroyer, part of the U.S. Navy, was sunk during a naval exercise in 1946 and has been found intact at a depth of 1,036 meters beneath the ocean’s surface.
A shipwreck preserved for over seven decades
The discovery was made by a team of underwater researchers using advanced autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and sonar technology. The crew scanned the ocean floor near the Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary, located off the coast of Northern California, and identified the USS Stewart in a near-pristine condition. The wreck was found in an upright position, with the massive hull still standing vertically on the seabed.
What has truly amazed researchers is the exceptional condition of the ship, which has been submerged for over 70 years. According to the Air Sea Heritage Foundation and Search Inc., the level of preservation is stunning, particularly for a vessel constructed in the 1920s. The USS Stewart now stands as one of the most well-preserved “fourstacker” American destroyers, offering historians and archaeologists a rare glimpse into early 20th-century naval engineering.
A ship with a turbulent past
USS Stewart has a unique and complicated history. Originally launched in 1920, the ship served in the United States Navy and saw action during World War II. In 1942, it sustained severe damage during combat with Japanese forces. Shortly after, it was captured by the enemy and converted into a patrol vessel for the Imperial Japanese Navy, under the name “Patrol Boat No. 102.”
During the war, a strange phenomenon occurred when Allied pilots began reporting sightings of an old American warship operating deep within enemy waters. This mystery persisted until the end of the war, when the USS Stewart was rediscovered floating in Kure Harbor, Japan. The ship was eventually towed back to San Francisco by the U.S. forces.
A final mission for the USS Stewart
Once back in the United States, the USS Stewart embarked on its last mission. In May 1946, the destroyer was used as a target ship during a naval exercise conducted by the U.S. Navy. After enduring heavy fire for over two hours, it was finally sent to the depths of the ocean. For decades, its wreckage lay untouched, becoming a subject of fascination for historians and marine archaeologists alike.
Now, 78 years after its sinking, the rediscovery of the USS Stewart has been hailed as a national priority in marine exploration. Retired U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Cox, director of the Naval History and Heritage Command, emphasized the importance of locating and protecting these wrecks to safeguard them from unauthorized salvage efforts. According to U.S. law, the USS Stewart remains the sovereign property of the United States, and its discovery opens new opportunities for studying how these relics are preserved in underwater environments.
Conclusion: a window into the past
The USS Stewart wreck is not just a piece of naval history; it represents a significant example of how modern technology is aiding in the discovery and preservation of underwater heritage. This find offers researchers a unique opportunity to examine a historical vessel in remarkable detail and better understand the role it played during critical moments in world history. The combination of historical significance and technological advancement makes the USS Stewart’s discovery a milestone in marine archaeology.
Fact-check
- The wreck of USS Stewart was located 78 years after it sank during a naval exercise in 1946.
- The ship was discovered near the Cordell Bank Marine Sanctuary, using advanced sonar and AUV technology.
- USS Stewart was initially launched in 1920 and served during World War II.
- Captured by Japan in 1942, it was repurposed as Patrol Boat No. 102 before being recovered by the U.S.
- The ship remains under the legal ownership of the U.S., according to international maritime law.
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