Explorers locate deepest shipwreck ever found with discovery of lost WWII destroyer
Explorers locate deepest shipwreck ever found with discovery of lost WWII destroyer
It took a series of six dives over eight days for teams to find the USS Samuel B. Roberts
By Chris OberholtzSource FOX Weather
USS Samuel B. Roberts is now the deepest wreck ever discovered
Explorers in the Philippines made a historic find earlier this month after locating what is now known as the deepest shipwreck to ever be discovered.
MANILA, Philippines – Explorers in the Philippines made a historic find earlier this month when they located the deepest shipwreck ever to be discovered.
The USS Samuel B. Roberts, a destroyer launched in January 1944, took part in the largest naval battle in history during World War II. It was lost to enemy fire.
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Identification was made possible from a three-tube torpedo launcher found among the debris.
(Caladan Oceanic)
Between June 17 and June 24, the team used six dives to search for the wreckage.
Victor Vescovo, founder of Caladan Oceanic, and EYOS Expeditions said the discovery was made on June 22. He and a French sonar specialist located the wreck resting on a slope at a depth of roughly 4.3 miles. He said the ship had broken into two pieces, which were separated by about 33 feet.
Identification was made possible from a three-tube torpedo launcher found among the debris.
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Between June 17 and June 24, the team used six dives to search for the wreckage.
(Caladan Oceanic)
“It was an extraordinary honor to locate this incredibly famous ship and by doing so, have the chance to retell her story of heroism and duty to those who may not know of the ship and her crew’s sacrifice,” Vescovo said.
‘The Destroyer That Fought Like a Battleship’
The Samuel B. Roberts earned the nickname “The Destroyer That Fought Like a Battleship,” during her actions in the Battle off Samar, which saw American forces pitted against a far more powerful Japanese fleet. This fight was part of the more significant Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. By some historical accounts, the American victory at the Battle of Leyte Gulf was the largest naval battle in history, with the Battle off Samar being its final engagement.
Vescovo said the challenging and poignant expedition to find the lost destroyer was meant to help recognize the ships and sailors from all nations who fought hard during the battle.
