Army
Footage of Sunken Ship Surfaces Online
SUBMURGED under 600M of water nearly 20 miles off the Hawaiian island of Oahu, scientists have found the stunningly preserved remains of the USS Kailua, which had not been seen in nearly 70 years.
"One of our first views of the USS Kailua was the classic helms wheel on the fantail. The ship was surprisingly intact for a vessel that was sunk with a torpedo. The upper deck structures from the bow to the stern were well-preserved and showed no sign of torpedo damage."
This dislodged engine room telegraph lies off the starboard bow of the USS Kailua.
The USS Kailua in 1943.
After the war, neither the Navy nor the Commercial Cable Company that manufactured the ship needed the vessel any more, so the USS Kailua's fate was sealed as torpedo fodder. It was sunk as part of target practice on February 7, 1946. Because of the ship’s violent end, researchers have expressed astonishment about how well-preserved the wreck is. Below, video footage of its discovery:
(Photos: Naval History and Heritage Command)
Join Our Newsletter
