Wreckage of Historic 'Ghost Ship of the Pacific' Discovered on California Ocean Bed
The ‘Ghost Ship of the Pacific,’ an American vessel captured by Japanese forces during World War II, has been discovered on the California seabed after 82 years, Daily Mail reported. Resting almost 3,500 feet beneath the ocean’s surface, the USS Stewart (DD-224) was found using advanced robotic sonar technology. The vessel, almost perfectly intact, exemplifies exceptional preservation.
Originally built in 1921, the 314-foot-long destroyer had a notable wartime service, suffering multiple attacks and sustaining significant damage before its capture and eventual rechristening by the Japanese. In a final symbolic act post-WWII, the U.S. Navy recommissioned the DD-224 as ‘RAMP-224' and then sank it through target practice.
Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics firm, directed the breakthrough discovery with orange, torpedo-shaped drones equipped to generate high-resolution seabed maps. These drones, deployed for diverse underwater projects, have redefined ocean exploration capabilities and contributed significantly to the findings of historical wrecks like the USS Nevada and Ernest Shackleton's Endurance. Jim Delgado of SEARCH Inc. underscores this era as a transformative period in oceanic discoveries.
Prominent figures such as Russ Matthews from the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, and Andy Sherrell from Ocean Infinity played pivotal roles in the detection and localization of the wreck, effectively leveraging modern drone technology to expedite the process. The gathered data constitutes the most accurate map of the Cordell Bank sanctuary region to date.
Dr. Delgado emphasized that ships like the 'Ghost Ship' embody human elements, representing shared history and efforts. This discovery not only completes the historical narrative about the USS Stewart but also highlights the remarkable advancements and practical applications of marine robotic technology in understanding our oceans.
Earlier, SSP wrote that Mars' missing atmosphere might be found in Its clay.