Discovery of the ‘Ghost Ship of the Pacific’ on California Seafloor by Autonomous Underwater Drones

The “Ghost Ship of the Pacific” has been discovered on the California seafloor, thanks to the use of advanced underwater drones. The USS Stewart, a US Navy destroyer captured by Japanese forces during World War II, now rests in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, nearly 3,500 feet below the surface.

The discovery was made by autonomous underwater vehicles operated by Ocean Infinity, a leading marine robotics company. The drones, which resemble torpedoes and measure over 20 feet in length, surveyed nearly 50 square miles of the ocean floor before identifying the historic wreck.

Despite being covered in marine growth and hosting various sea creatures, the 314-foot-long destroyer is remarkably well-preserved and stands almost upright on the seafloor. Maria Brown, superintendent of the Cordell Bank and Greater Farallones national marine sanctuaries, described the level of preservation as exceptional for a vessel of its age.

This discovery highlights the effectiveness of modern robotic ocean exploration in uncovering hidden historical treasures. Ocean Infinity’s fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles has previously assisted in locating other significant wrecks, such as the USS Nevada and the Endurance, which sank during Ernest Shackleton’s 1915 expedition.

The use of underwater drones for marine archaeology and exploration is becoming increasingly valuable, providing researchers with high-resolution maps of the seafloor and helping to fill gaps in our understanding of the oceans. This technology is not only essential for historical discoveries but also for planning offshore construction projects and undersea infrastructure.