The search for the wreck of the American destroyer USS Stewart began on August 1, 2024. Unmanned drones were involved in the operation and searched the area off the coast of California. The remains of the destroyer were found at a depth of approximately 1,067 meters in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, approximately 90 kilometers northwest of San Francisco.
The USA found the wreck of the destroyer USS Stewart
Then an underwater drone equipped with a camera was sent towards the wreck. Footage showed that the USS Stewart was largely intact, with its hull resting vertically on the seafloor.
“The USS Stewart provides a unique opportunity to examine a well-preserved example of early 20th century destroyer design. Her history, from service in the United States Navy to capture in Japan and return to the United States, makes her a powerful symbol of the complexities of the Pacific War.” commented Dr. James Delgadorepresentative of the archaeological organization SEARCH, which participated in the search, among others. with Ocean Infinity and American historical foundations.
The destroyer USS Stewart was taken over by Japanese troops
The destroyer USS Stewart, also known as the “ghost ship of the Pacific”, served in the US Navy during World War II. In 1942, the ship was damaged and abandoned in Java, and then taken over by the Empire of Japan, which used the vessel to patrol its waters.
In 1945, the ship was bombed by American forces and then recaptured by the Japanese. On May 23, 1946, she was decommissioned, and a day later she was sunk as part of naval exercises – explains the Naval History and Heritage Command.