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The Rediscovery of the USS Stewart: A Maritime Marvel
An sea-drones-experimentation-overseas/” title=”Unveiling the Future: The US Navy's Revolutionary Sea Drones Taking to the High Seas!”>autonomous fleet of drones managed by Ocean Infinity has successfully located the USS Stewart, a notable US Navy destroyer that was captured by Japanese forces during World War II. This remarkable find occurred while the company’s three orange, 20-foot underwater robots were engaged in mapping the expansive 1,286-square-mile Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary off California’s coast. Known as the “Ghost Ship of the Pacific,” this 314-foot vessel has been resting approximately 3,500 feet beneath the ocean for nearly eight decades and appears to be remarkably well-preserved and upright.
Maria Brown, superintendent for both Cordell Bank and Greater Farallones national marine sanctuaries, remarked on October 1 to The New York Times, stating that “the level of preservation is extraordinary for a vessel this old, making it one of the best-preserved examples known among US Navy ‘four-piper’ destroyers.”
A Unique Chapter in Maritime History
The narrative surrounding the USS Stewart holds a distinctive place in American maritime history, rendering it one of the most coveted wrecks over recent decades. After suffering significant damage during battle and being sunk initially, Japanese forces raised and repaired this destroyer to use it against American naval operations as an escort vessel. During its second life at sea, Allied pilots reported sightings resembling their own ships deep within enemy territory—this led to its haunting nickname as a “Ghost Ship.”
The Final Journey and Scuttling at Sea
After Japan’s surrender in World War II, efforts were made by the US Navy to recover the Stewart. The plan was to tow it back home; however, mechanical failures near Guam forced them to continue towing it until they reached US waters. On May 24, 1946—the day marked for its dramatic burial at sea—the “Ghost Ship of the Pacific” was subjected to target practice by naval forces before finally sinking after approximately two hours under fire. Unfortunately, over time, precise coordinates marking its resting place were lost.
A Fortuitous Discovery with Modern Technology
Pursuing leads on locating USS Stewart proved challenging until August when luck played a role in its rediscovery. Initially aiming merely to test multiple large autonomous underwater vehicles simultaneously—having previously aided in finding wrecks like that of the < em >USS Nevada and < em >Endurance , Russ Matthews from Air Sea Heritage Foundation suggested utilizing these drones specifically for searching out this elusive Ghost Ship after he uncovered coordinates related to tugboat activities around where it had been scuttled.
Remarkably efficient compared with traditional methods that could take weeks mapping vast areas (37 square nautical miles), these drones pinpointed the location within just hours.
[Related:[Related:[Related:[Related:A piece from Titanic has broken away from its original structure!.
Pioneering Future Discoveries Beneath Waves
“We are witnessing what I believe will be transformative advancements in ocean exploration,” stated Jim Delgado—a senior vice president at SEARCH Inc., which also contributed expertise towards this project—in an interview with < em >The New York Times.
Beyond uncovering long-lost vessels like wrecks such as those mentioned above or even others yet undiscovered—these autonomous mapping technologies hold potential applications ranging from identifying suitable seabed locations ideal for wind farm development through charting routes necessary for laying down essential underwater cabling infrastructure.
This article originally appeared onPopular Science.
