About discovery wreck of the USS Stewart Air Sea Heritage Foundation and Search Inc., which were involved in the search, said in a statement Tuesday. The coast of California had been searched by submarines since August 1. Sonar and echosounder data revealed the wreck was located 1036 meters below the ocean surface.
“Initial sonar scans revealed that Stewart is largely intactand its hull – which remains impressive – it rests almost vertically on the seabed“- emphasized in the statement.
“Ghost of the Pacific” spotted. Photos were shown on the Internet
Special cameras were sent to the bottom of the ocean to transmit live images. We managed to take several photos of the ship's hull, the condition of which was assessed as very good.
“This level of behavior is exceptional for a ship of this age and makes her potentially valuable one of the best preserved examples of a 'four-story' destroyer Navy United Statesthat is known to exist,” the organization emphasizes.
Historians can't wait to examine the wreck. – USS Stewart provides the opportunity to examine a well-preserved example of early 20th century destroyer design, said Dr. James Delgado, vice president of Search, as quoted by CBS News. – His story, from his service in the United States Navy to his occupation Japan back and forth, making it a powerful symbol of the complexity of the Pacific War, the expert added.
USS Steward found after almost 80 years
“Spirit of the Pacific” has a very rich history. In 1920, the USS Stewart was stationed in Manila as part of the United States Navy's Asiatic Fleet. In February 1942 it was damaged and stuck in a dock on the Indonesian island of Java.
Soon, Allied pilots began reporting sightings American destroyer of unknown origin operating deep behind enemy lines. It was not until Stewart was found floating in the water in Kure, Japan, at the end of the war that the mystery of the Pacific Ghost Ship was finally solved, as the accident from years ago was remembered.
Later, the unit was reincorporated into the United States Navy and used as a “target ship” during military exercises. Although it was sunk on purposeits whereabouts were unknown for decades. Eventually, he was located after 78 years.
“In the decades that followed, Stewart's story aroused the interest of historians, archaeologists and naval enthusiastsand the rediscovery of its wreck has become the highest national exploration priority,” the statement emphasized.