The remains of the USS Samuel B Roberts, a US navy destroyer escort sunk during World War II, were found by explorers below the Pacific Ocean, split in half and lodged on a slope.
Victor Vescovo, an explorer who has previously completed expeditions to the world’s deepest points, and French sonar expert Jeremie Morizet were able to discover the wreck.
USS Samuel B Roberts was lying on a slope at a depth of 22,621 feet (6,895 meters). That is approximately 1,397 feet deeper than the USS Johnston wreck, which Vescovo found last year.
Vescovo was glad to discover the 80 years old lost ship. “We like to say that steel doesn’t lie and that the wrecks of these vessels are the last witnesses to the battles that they fought,” he told BBC News. He continued, “The Sammy B engaged the Japanese heavy cruisers at point-blank range and fired so rapidly it exhausted its ammunition. It was down to shooting smoke shells and illumination rounds just to try to set fires on the Japanese ships, and it kept firing. It was just an extraordinary act of heroism. Those men on both sides were fighting to the death.”
Part of the dive on Sammy B
“In difficult times, it’s important to reflect on those who sacrificed so much, so willingly, in even more difficult times to ensure our freedoms and way of life,” Vescovo said in a statement. “I always remain in awe of the extraordinary bravery of those who fought in this battle against truly overwhelming odds and won.”
Moreover, the 306-footer was part of a small force of US warships that fought against a more powerful Japanese fleet in the Battle of Samar. In fact, the flotilla was a major catalyst for the American victory in the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf. This is certainly the biggest naval battle in history. Sammy B was attacked by three enemy battleships and took on two heavy cruisers. The US ship was carrying 224 crewmembers. Captain Robert W. Copeland was one of the survivors.
