Legendary WWII American Warship “Pacific Ghost Ship” Finally Located

A team of investigators in the United States recently announced the discovery of the wreckage of the US Navy destroyer “Stewart” off the coast of Northern California. This warship, also known as the “Pacific Ghost Ship,” served during World War II for both the United States and Japan before being used as a target ship and sunk during a naval exercise in 1946.

According to media reports, the American seabed exploration company, Ocean Infinity, deployed three autonomous underwater vehicles in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Northern California starting from August 1st this year. Through sonar and multibeam echosounder systems, they discovered clear images of the wreckage of the USS Stewart DD-224 at a depth of approximately 1,036 meters below the sea surface.

The American Air/Sea Heritage Foundation and the archaeology company “Search Inc” also participated in the investigation. They jointly issued a statement on Tuesday, October 1st, confirming the news.

“Preliminary sonar scans indicate that this over 95-meter-long warship is largely intact, almost standing upright on the seabed, with a smooth surface and still appearing majestic,” the statement pointed out. “Given the age of this warship, the level of preservation is exceptionally rare, making it one of the best-preserved ‘four-stackers’ (ships with four funnels linked to four boilers) among known US Navy destroyers.”

Among the thousands of US Navy vessels that served during World War II, the history of the USS Stewart destroyer is particularly noteworthy. Public records show that the Stewart was commissioned in 1920, serving in the Asiatic Fleet stationed in Manila, Philippines. However, during a battle with the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1942, it was unfortunately damaged, captured, and later renamed by the Japanese as the “Naval Patrol Vessel No. 102,” forced to serve in the Japanese Navy.

During this time, Allied pilots conducting reconnaissance missions accidentally observed the strange sight of an “old-style American destroyer” operating in enemy territory. It wasn’t until after the end of World War II that the mysterious “Ghost Ship of the Pacific,” the USS Stewart, was discovered floating off the coast of Wuchang, southwestern Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan.

Subsequently, the Stewart was towed back to San Francisco and used as a target ship during a naval exercise the following year in 1946. After enduring over two hours of continuous bombardment, the warship eventually sank to the bottom of the sea.

“Over the following decades, the legendary story of the USS Stewart has captured the interest of many historians, archaeologists, and naval enthusiasts, with many countries considering the discovery of its wreckage a top priority for deep-sea exploration,” the statement read. “After more than 78 years, its final resting place has finally been found.”

Former US Navy Rear Admiral Samuel Cox, Director of the US Navy’s Historical and Heritage Command and Curator of the US Navy Museum, praised the team that discovered the vessel. Cox stated in the release, “Whether lost in battle or sunk as a target ship, these warships always remain the sovereign property of the United States. Knowing the location and condition of these sunken ships is crucial to invoke the US Sunken Military Craft Act for their protection against unauthorized disturbance.”