Once captured by enemy forces during World War II, a long-lost US Navy destroyer has been discovered in remarkably good condition off the California coast.
The USS Stewart, nicknamed the "Ghost Ship of the Pacific," was located by underwater investigators in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, CNN reported.
The wreck was discovered 3,500 feet below the ocean, with its hull mostly intact after almost eight decades. This was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Air Sea Heritage Foundation, Search Inc, and Ocean Infinity, using advanced autonomous underwater vehicles to scan the ocean floor.
The USS Stewart's history is as intriguing as its recent discovery. Commissioned in 1920, the ship faced a tumultuous fate during World War II. In 1942, it sustained damage in combat against Japanese forces and was subsequently captured by the enemy.
Following its capture, the Stewart was repurposed by the Imperial Japanese Navy, becoming their Patrol Boat No. 102. This unexpected turn of events led to peculiar sightings by Allied pilots, who reported seeing an American destroyer operating deep behind enemy lines.
The mystery surrounding the ship's whereabouts persisted until the end of the war when it was found afloat in Kure, Japan. This discovery finally solved the enigma of the Pacific ghost ship that had puzzled many during the conflict.
Ocean Infinity's preliminary sonar scans revealed that the USS Stewart's wreck is in exceptional condition. According to the investigators:
Preliminary sonar scans revealed that the Stewart is largely intact and that its hull — which remains sleek and imposing — rests nearly upright on the seafloor. This level of preservation is exceptional for a vessel of its age and makes it potentially one of the best-preserved examples of a US Navy 'fourstacker' destroyer known to exist.
The remarkable state of preservation offers historians and naval enthusiasts an unprecedented opportunity to study this class of warship.
The team conducted additional sonar surveys and deployed a remote-operated vehicle equipped with cameras to perform a visual inspection of the wreck.
After its recovery in Japan, the USS Stewart was towed back to San Francisco. However, its journey was far from over. In a final act of service, the ship was used as a target during a naval exercise in May 1946.
For over two hours, the Stewart absorbed fire from US Navy vessels before finally succumbing to the onslaught and sinking to the ocean floor. This dramatic end marked the beginning of its 78-year slumber beneath the waves, waiting to be rediscovered.
The significance of this find extends beyond historical curiosity. Retired US Navy Admiral Samuel J. Cox, director of Naval History and Heritage Command and curator for the US Navy, emphasized the importance of locating such wrecks:
Whether lost in battle or sunk as a target, a warship remains sovereign property in perpetuity. It is important to know the location and condition of such wrecks so that they may be protected from unauthorized disturbance under the US Sunken Military Craft Act.
The USS Stewart's discovery marks a significant achievement in underwater exploration and naval archaeology. Found 78 years after its sinking, this "Ghost Ship of the Pacific" has finally revealed its secrets. The well-preserved wreck, located off the California coast, offers a unique glimpse into World War II naval history and the remarkable journey of a ship that served under two flags before meeting its dramatic end.
