The wreck of an American ship from the Second World War found at a depth of nearly 7,000 meters

It is the deepest wreckage ever located. A US Navy destroyer, sunk during World War II, has been found 6,895 meters deep off the Philippines. 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. Images show the three tubes of a torpedo launcher and the boat’s gun support.

Le Sammy B sank during the Battle of Leyte, off the island of Samar, on October 25, 1944. American forces were trying to liberate the Philippines, then a colony of the United States under Japanese occupation. That day, four more American ships were sunk.

A team specializing in the search for wrecks

“This little ship has taken on the best elements of the Japanese Navy, fighting them to the bitter end,” Caladan Oceanic founder Victor Vescovo tweeted. 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.

Note that Victor Vescovo’s team had already spotted in 2021 the USS Johnston, which lies at nearly 6,500 meters, and was the deepest known wreck until then. The team is also looking for the USS Gambier Bay more than 7,000 meters deep, but has not yet managed to locate it. By way of comparison, the wreck of the Titanic rests at a depth of almost 4,000 meters.