A remarkable discovery off California's coast has brought a legendary warship back into the spotlight.
According to CNN, undersea investigators have located the wreck of the USS Stewart, famously known as the "Ghost Ship of the Pacific," deliberately sunk in 1946.
The US Navy destroyer was found on the ocean floor in an exceptionally well-preserved state. The Air Sea Heritage Foundation and Search Inc., organizations involved in the investigation, announced the discovery on Tuesday.
Ocean Infinity, a robotic marine survey company, pinpointed the ship's final resting place using advanced underwater technology.
Advanced Technology Unveils Maritime Mystery
Three autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) were utilized to scan the ocean floor in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The 24-hour operation, which commenced on August 1, employed sonar and multibeam echosounder data to locate the Stewart.
The wreck was found at a depth of 3,500 feet (1,036 meters) below the ocean's surface. Preliminary sonar scans revealed that the ship's hull remains largely intact, resting nearly upright on the seafloor.
Researchers were impressed by the vessel's state of preservation, noting that it could be one of the best-preserved examples of a US Navy "fourstacker" destroyer known to exist.
A Storied Past: From American Warship to Japanese Patrol Boat
The USS Stewart's history is as intriguing as its discovery. Commissioned in 1920, the ship had a tumultuous life that spanned two decades and saw service under two different navies.
In 1942, the Stewart sustained damage during combat with Japanese forces. Subsequently, it was captured by the enemy and repurposed as the Imperial Japanese Navy's Patrol Boat No. 102.
This unexpected turn of events led to peculiar sightings during the war. Allied pilots reported seeing what appeared to be an old American destroyer operating deep behind enemy lines, earning the vessel its ghostly moniker.
From War's End to Watery Grave
At the conclusion of World War II, the mystery of the Pacific ghost ship was finally solved when the Stewart was discovered afloat in Kure, Japan. The ship was then towed back to San Francisco, marking the end of its wartime journey.
However, Stewart's story didn't end there. In May 1946, the US Navy used the vessel as a target ship during a naval exercise. After withstanding over two hours of fire, the Stewart finally sank to its current resting place.
Retired US Navy Admiral Samuel J. Cox, director of Naval History and Heritage Command and curator for the US Navy, emphasized the importance of the discovery:
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.
Conclusion
The USS Stewart, known for its mysterious service behind enemy lines and tragic finale as a target ship, has been rediscovered in commendable condition, lying nearly upright 3,500 feet beneath the Pacific. This discovery was enabled by a combined effort involving modern technology and the dedication of historical and maritime experts. The find provides closure to the ship's mysterious past and valuable insights into naval architecture and preservation in deep-sea environments.
