Deepest shipwreck ever found in the Philippines
The wreck of the American destroyer USS Samuel B Roberts was discovered at a depth of almost 7,000 meters by the Texas-based company Caladan Oceanic, which specializes in underwater technologies.
A U.S. Navy destroyer sunk in World War II has been found nearly 7,000 meters deep off the Philippines, making it the deepest wreckage ever located, a team has announced. American exploration.
A crewed submersible filmed, photographed and inspected the damaged hull of the USS Samuel B Roberts during a series of dives over eight days, the US said. Texas company Caladan Oceanic, specializing in underwater technologies.
The Sammy B sank during a battle off the island of Samar on October 25, 1944, when American forces attempted to liberate the Philippines, then a colony of the United States under Japanese occupation.
Released footage shows the three tubes of a torpedo launcher and the ship's gun mount.
The cannon of USS Samuel B Roberts. The American destroyer was sunk off the Philippines during the Battle of Leyte on October 25, 1944.
Resting at 6895 meters, it is now the deepest boat wreck ever located and surveyed, tweeted Caladan Oceanic founder Victor Vescovo, who piloted the submersible.
“This little vessel faced the best elements of the Japanese Navy, fighting them to the bitter end. »
—Victor Vescovo, founder of Caladan Oceanic
According to US Navy records, the crew of the Sammy B floated for almost three days waiting to be rescued, with many survivors succumbing to their injuries and shark attacks. Of the 224 crew members, 89 died.
The event took place during the Battle of Leyte, which saw clashes Japanese and American forces spent several days in intense combat.
The Sammy B was one of four American ships sunk on October 25, 1944.
Mr. Vescovo's team had already spotted the USS Johnston in 2021, which lies at nearly 6500 meters and was the deepest known wreck until then.
The team is also searching for the USS Gambier Bay at over 7,000 meters depth, but have yet to locate it.
For comparison, the wreck of the Titanic lies almost 4000 meters deep.
