Deepest shipwreck ever found off the Philippines

(Manila) A US 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, an exploration team has announced American.

A manned submersible filmed, photographed and inspected the damaged hull of the USS Samuel B Roberts during a series of dives over eight days, said Texas-based company Caladan Oceanic, which specializes in underwater technology.

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.

Footage released shows the three tubes of a torpedo launcher and the ship’s gun mount.

“Lying at 6895 meters, it is now the deepest shipwreck ever located and surveyed,” tweeted Caladan Oceanic founder Victor Vescovo, who piloted the submersible.

“This little ship has taken on the best elements of the Japanese Navy, fighting them to the bitter end,” he added.

According to US Navy records, the crew of the Sammy B “floated for nearly 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 intense fighting between Japanese and American forces for several days.

the Sammy B was one of four American ships sunk on October 25, 1944.

Mr. Vescovo’s team had already spotted in 2021 the USS Johnsonwhich lies at nearly 6500 meters and was the deepest known wreck so far.

The team is also looking for the USS Gambier Bay more than 7000 meters deep, but has not yet managed to locate it.

On the other hand, there is a lack of information to hope to locate the USS Hoel.

By way of comparison, the wreckage of the titanic rests at nearly 4000 meters deep.