Latest news with #navalhistory
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
WWII Japanese Navy destroyer found 83 years after it sank
A Japanese navy destroyer torpedoed during a crucial Second World War battle has finally been discovered on the Pacific Ocean floor 80 years after it sank. The Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Teruzuki sank in 1942 while transporting supplies to soldiers in the Solomon Islands. Measuring over 134m (440ft) long, Teruzuki was the Imperial Japanese Navy 's second Akizuki-class destroyer built with air-search radar. Such ships mainly acted as escorts with anti-aircraft screening abilities for main battle ships. Teruzuki was sunk in December 1942 by US torpedoes while transporting food for soldiers in Guadalcanal, also called 'Gato' or the island of starvation. After it was hit by torpedoes, a detonation broke the rudder and one propeller shaft, disabling the ship. Then a ruptured oil tank caught on fire, setting ablaze ammunition and causing an explosion. Nearly 350 crew members survived, most rescued by other nearby Japanese destroyers, but 10 died. Since Imperial Japan 's naval vessel plans were a tightly held secret, there are no historical images of Teruzuki and the latest survey is the first ever to get a glimpse of the vessel for this generation. A US marine research team has finally found Teruzuki's wreck in a sea area known as the Iron Bottom Sound, which was the stage of five major naval battles between August and December 1942 that led to the loss of over 20,000 lives, 111 naval vessels, and 1,450 planes. However, fewer than 100 of these US, Japanese, Australian, and New Zealand military ships and planes have been located in this marine location of an area less than 25 nautical miles wide, 40 nautical miles long, and 1,400 meters deep. "Iron Bottom Sound was the scene of five ferocious major night surface battles, resulting in the loss of dozens of ships and thousands of men. Both sides showed extreme courage and tenacity, although in the end the U.S. Navy and allies prevailed, at enormous cost,' said Samuel J. Cox, a retired US Navy rear admiral. Two Akizuki-class destroyers were known to have sunk in the Solomon Islands during WWII. Since the other one was already discovered, researchers concluded the latest finding was Teruzuki 's wreck. Earlier this month, a team of US and Japanese marine researchers conducted the first visual scan of the destroyer since it sank. 'This is the first time anyone has laid eyes on Teruzuki since it was sunk in WWII's battles off Guadalcanal, with surveyed details rewriting the ship's final hours,' researchers wrote. The marine scientists found that Teruzuki's bow had collapsed to one side, and most of her superstructure had fallen off to one side. Several features of the sunken ship match testimonies of former crew members who survived its sinking. The numbers and positions of gun turrets on the wrecked remains were also found to be the same as on Teruzuki.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
USS New Orleans bow found 83 years after it was blown off in WWII
A team of researchers have located the final resting place of the bow of a US Navy ship that was nearly destroyed during World War II . The bow of the USS New Orleans was blown off by a Japanese torpedo in a 1942 battle that resulted in an Axis victory. Nearly 83 years later, scientists and explorers with the Ocean Exploration Trust found the forward section of the ship around 2,200 feet underwater in the Iron Bottom Sound, a body of water in the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands is an archipelago of hundreds of islands east of Papua New Guinea and northeast of Australia. Experts aboard the Nautilus exploration vessel voyaged into the Iron Bottom Sound, which is already home to over 100 World War II shipwrecks, and took high resolution images of the sunken bow. At that point they weren't certain of what they'd stumbled across, but after archaeologists worked to identify details of its paint, structure and anchor, they were eventually able to positively identify the bow as once belonging to the USS New Orleans. 'The wreck was located during seafloor mapping operations by an uncrewed surface vehicle, then investigated shortly thereafter by a deep-diving remotely operated vehicle,' Ocean Exploration Trust's Chief Scientist Daniel Wagner said in a statement. In the November 1942 naval engagement now known as the Battle of Tassafaronga, the US Navy and Japanese Imperial Navy faced off at nighttime. A fleet of nine ships, including the USS New Orleans, intercepted eight Japanese destroyers trying to deliver food to their forces on the nearby island of Guadalcanal. US cruisers fired first, but this exposed their position, which led to a bloody battle on both sides. However, the Japanese quickly gained the upper hand, sinking one US heavy cruiser and damaging three more. One of the three that were damaged was the USS New Orleans. It was hit by a 'Long Lance' torpedo, tearing off nearly a third of the ship and killing 183 sailors. Three US crew members would die because they valiantly stayed at their posts as the ship flooded and managed to stop it from sinking.
CBS News
08-07-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Severed bow of famed U.S. ship torpedoed in WWII found on Pacific seafloor
The severed bow of the famed American warship USS New Orleans has been found by researchers during seafloor mapping operations in the Pacific Ocean. The bow was discovered resting about 675 meters deep in the Solomon Islands' Iron Bottom Sound, the site of five major naval battles, the Ocean Exploration Trust said Tuesday in a statement. Scientific collaborators, including archaeologists and experts from all the former combatant nations, spent four hours imaging the site to assess whether the bow came from the embattled USS New Orleans. They found distinctive details in the ship's structure, painting and anchor, which allowed them to positively identify the bow. The bow wreckage now supports a biodiverse community of deep-sea corals, anemones, and basket stars, utilizing the hull as their habitat. Ocean Exploration Trust/ Nautilus Live, NOAA "This imagery was viewed in real-time by hundreds of experts around the world, who all worked together to make a positive identification of the findings," aid Ocean Exploration Trust's chief scientist Daniel Wagner. "The discovery highlights the power of having multiple scientists and technologies work together to achieve a common goal." From the control room of Exploration Vessel Nautilus, the Ocean Exploration Trust team of scientists, engineers, historians, educators, and students are exploring shipwrecks of the Iron Bottom Sound. Ocean Exploration Trust The first of seven New Orleans-class heavy cruisers built during the 1930s, the USS New Orleans saw some of the heaviest fighting during the Pacific war, beginning on Dec. 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor. The commanding officer wrote at the time that the crew helped thwart a dive-bombing attack by about 10 enemy planes, and "the action of the crew under fire was most commendable." The USS New Orleans then moved on to battle in various locations, including the Battle of Midway, before returning to the Solomons. USS New Orleans (CA-32), the flagship of the New Orleans class of heavy cruisers, was heavily damaged in the WWII Battle of Tassafarronga at Guadalcanal when hit by a Japanese torpedo, catastrophically detonating the forward magazines and tearing off nearly one-third of the ship, including the bow. U.S. National Archives USS New Orleans' bow hasn't been seen since November 1942, during the World War II Battle of Tassafaronga, offshore of Guadalcanal, when a Japanese torpedo slammed into the ship. It tore off nearly one-third of the ship, including the bow, and killed over 180 crew members. The crew managed to get the ship into a good enough condition to sail for Australia for repairs, according to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. On March 7, 1943, the USS New Orleans headed to Puget Sound Navy Yard, where a new bow was fitted and the battle damage repaired. "By all rights, this ship should have sunk, but due to the heroic damage control efforts of her crew, USS New Orleans became the most grievously damaged U.S. cruiser in WWII to actually survive," said Naval History and Heritage Command Director Samuel J. Cox, retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral, in a statement. "To find the bow of this ship is an opportunity to remember the sacrifice of this valiant crew, even on one of the worst nights in U.S. Navy history."
The Independent
11-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
King reunites with old Royal Navy shipmates for trip down ‘memory sea-lane'
The King has hosted a reunion with old shipmates from his Royal Navy days at Buckingham Palace, sharing 'a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane'. The special private reception, staged for the King's fellow sailors, was staged following a personal request from Charles, who funded the event himself. The 76-year-old monarch, who served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976, was said to be 'greatly looking forward' to the catch-up with his former comrades and has been 'grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support' over the years. An aide to the King said: 'His Majesty was greatly looking forward to seeing his old shipmates and no doubt sharing a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane. 'He is most grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support over the decades, and looked forward to hearing where life's journeys had taken them all.' Some 400 guests gathered with the King, who is now Head of the Armed Forces, in the royal residence, including his former mates, and their partners, from HM Ships Bronington, Jupiter, Norfolk, Hermione, Minerva, Hermes, Dryad, Fox, and the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. After passing out at RAF Cranwell, the young Prince of Wales began his naval career as a 22-year-old acting sub-lieutenant when he joined an accelerated graduates course at Britannia Royal Naval College in 1971. Two months later, he was posted to the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, and then to the frigates HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter. In 1974, the future King qualified as a helicopter pilot, and he flew with 845 Naval Air Squadron from the commando aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. In 1976, Charles took on his final post with the Royal Navy, becoming the Commanding Officer of Ton-class minesweeper HMS Bronington. His active naval career ended in December 1976, with the rank of Commander. Fellow aviators drawn from 845 Naval Air Squadron and across the Fleet Air Arm were also among the guests, as were contingents from HMY Britannia and the King's Navy-related patronages, The White Ensign Association, The Royal Navy Club of 1765 and 1785, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and the Association of Royal Naval Officers. Charles set up his youth charity, The King's Trust, formerly known as The Prince's Trust, with his Navy severance pay nearly 50 years ago, and the King's aide said the reception was 'a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years'. No media were present for the private get-together. The aide said: 'As we approach the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, which was initially funded with His Majesty's £7,400 severance pay from the Navy, it was a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years – including lifelong friendships and a continued commitment to public service.' Charles's shipmates have previously reflected on his seafaring days. Former clearance diver Petty Officer John Friar, who served on HMS Bronington, said the-then Lieutenant Wales was 'without doubt, the best ship handler by far'. He added: 'Believe me, if he had been rubbish, I would say so. 'He was not a good sailor in that he got very seasick, but then again, so did Nelson.'
CTV News
25-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Diver finds warship bell after 80 years — but not everyone approves
A piece of Canadian naval history has been recovered from the bottom of the English Channel and is now destined for a museum, but not everyone is celebrating. British diver and YouTuber Dom Robinson, a 53-year-old military veteran and project manager, located the bell from HMCS Trentonian, 67 metres below the surface. The ship, a Royal Canadian Navy corvette, was sunk by a German U-boat in February 1945. Six sailors were killed in the attack, and the vessel went down in just 10 minutes. Robinson, who has been exploring shipwrecks for more than 30 years, called the discovery 'emotional' and 'unbelievably exciting.' 'I didn't really believe it was there until I actually saw it,' he said. 'I was just unbelievably pleased. It's one of those moments that divers dream of.' Dom Robinson Dom Robinson (left) holds the bell after bring it to the surface. (Deep Wreck Diver) Robinson located the bell during his third dive on the wreck. Inscribed with the ship's name, he believes the bell's recovery preserves history that would otherwise be lost. 'These are actively decaying wrecks that will eventually collapse into the seabed, and these things will be lost forever when that happens,' he said. 'I think getting it up where lots of people can see it, and lots of people can hear the story, that's a much better way to commemorate the people who died.' The bell was turned over to members of the Canadian Navy. Arrangements are underway to transport it back to Canada, where it will be restored and displayed at the Naval Museum of Halifax. But not everyone agrees with the decision to recover the bell. Naval historian Roger Litwiller, a longtime advocate for preserving Canada's naval heritage, says the Trentonian should be considered a war grave and treated with the same respect as a cemetery. 'If the staff at one of the cemeteries in Normandy came to work in the morning and found holes dug throughout the cemetery and the brass handles on the caskets removed, what would the response be?' Litwiller said. 'There would be an international uproar.' The bell from HCMS Trentonian The bell from HCMS Trentonian recovered after 80 years at the bottom of the English Channel. (Rick Ayrton) (RICK AYRTON) Litwiller says that while the shipwreck is deteriorating, items like brass bells and fittings remain relatively well preserved and should be left in place as part of the ship's legacy. 'Those shiny bits will be the last remnants of the Trentonian and the war grave of those men,' he said. 'By removing that bell, it has removed the last opportunity to physically identify that wreck.' HMCS Trentonian, one of 123 Flower-class corvettes to serve during the Second World War, was the last to be lost in action. Litwiller notes that numerous artifacts from the wreck have been removed over the years, and says the navy has been seeking to get better safeguards for shipwrecks. The United Kingdom has long enforced legal protections for Royal Navy vessels that were sunk. Still, Robinson insists his intentions were honourable, noting he promptly reported the find and expressed a desire to see the bell displayed in a museum. Studying the bell A member of the Royal Canadian Navy examines bell as it was handed over in the U.K. (Aidan Davies Webb) 'I feel like I've protected it for future generations,' he said. 'If people feel differently, I could put it back, but realistically, I don't think anyone would want that to happen.' Robinson said that members of the Royal Canadian Navy expressed their thanks when he handed over the bell. 'I said to them, are you upset that I've taken this, do you feel I should have left it down there?' he recalled. 'And they were like 'no, no. We understand what happens. We know these wrecks are decaying. We know that if this bell wasn't brought up it would be lost forever.'' The director of navy public affairs, Lt.-Col. Patricia Brunelle, said in an email that removing items from Canadian navy shipwrecks without authorization is improper and in some cases is illegal. She says the navy is grateful to have received the bell, but added that accepting it doesn't mean it approves or would encourage the removal of items from ocean war graves.
