An
ocean mapping expedition
conducted by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
investigated the location where it came to rest
World War II
aircraft carrier
USS Yorktown
(CV-5) and discovered that a
mural
The interior paint within the vessel remained preserved even after being submerged for approximately 83 years.
Soon after the Battle of Midway, even though it was already severely damaged,
USS Yorktown
suffered an assault from a Japanese submarine’s torpedo. The extent of the damage was considerable enough to render the ship incapacitated.
US Navy
considered repairs unfeasible and the
ship sank
in the Pacific.
The submerged aircraft carrier was found again in 1998 by oceanographer Robert Ballard.
The
NOAA’s exploration team
They explored the ship’s hangar deck and came across a mural called “A Chart of the Cruises”
USS Yorktown,
depicted on the wall of one of the ship’s elevator shafts.
Prior to the explorers uncovering the painting again, it was only partly noticeable in old photographs of the vessel.
The 42-by-12-foot mural features a world map illustrating the different journeys the vessel made throughout its active years.
The intricately painted art was not the sole astonishment for the adventurers in the heart of the dungeon.
Yorktown
; the NOAA crew also discovered an antique vehicle inside the rear hangar of the vessel.
As per NOAA, the car is a 1940-1941 Ford Super Deluxe “Woody,” which has been painted black. It features the inscription “SHIP SERVICE_NAVY” on a section of its front license plate.
The NOAA experts think the vehicle might have belonged to Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, Captain Elliott Buckmaster, or another member of the crew who utilized it for official matters when the vessel was docked in overseas harbors.
The presence of the car aboard the ship is quite intriguing. Back in May 1942, the
Yorktown
Suffered significant damage from Japanese planes during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Following this, it headed back to Hawaii, where it underwent quick repairs in the drydock at Pearl Harbor for two days before proceeding to join the fight in the Battle of Midway.
During the battle, the
Yorktown
was once more struck by Japanese planes, causing it to develop a list towards its port side—indicating that the vessel started tilting to one direction—at this point, the crew discarded most of its substantial gear, such as airplanes and anti-aircraft cannons.
However, they did not discard the car. The rationale behind retaining the vehicle aboard the vessel, despite anti-aircraft guns and aircraft being discarded at the time, might forever remain an enigma.
NOAA’s dive also discovered the initial underwater instances of the aircraft on the site.
Yorktown
those discarded during the Battle of Midway.
As they investigated a densely blocked elevator shaft, the NOAA’s remote device discovered a hangar containing debris from at least three Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers.
Documents from the combat log indicate that the
Yorktown
retrieved a duo of airplanes from the
USS Enterprise
Those that had sustained minimal damage were transferred to a hangar deck but later endured fire damage after Japanese bombs struck.
Yorktown
.
Ongoing research aims to ascertain whether the aircraft discovered in the hangar are the ones that were previously recovered.
Enterprise
.
Various components from different sections of the aircraft were also found within the debris.
Along with the traces of combat, the NOAA might have also identified a novel type of jellyfish. During their dives, the exploration team came across a petite, vividly red and white jellyfish; however, it remains uncertain whether this is an undiscovered variety or one that has been documented before.
Tube worms and anemones were discovered clinging to the vessel’s underside. Ships that have sunk frequently offer frameworks for marine organisms to latch onto and thrive.
In 2023, the location of the
Yorktown’s
The wreck was designated as a Site of Exceptional Significance by the U.S. Navy.
The Independent has consistently maintained a worldwide viewpoint. Rooted in strong foundations of exceptional international coverage and analysis, The Independent now boasts a readership that would have been unimaginable upon its launch as a newcomer in the UK media landscape. In this era, for the first time since the conclusion of the Second World War, these core principles—pluralism, rational thinking, a forward-thinking and compassionate stance, along with global engagement—are facing challenges globally. Despite these threats, The Independent continues to expand its influence.