Mystery of US warship’s final resting place solved… by accident

An American warship that was sunk by Japanese dive bombers during the Second World War has finally been found, more than 80 years later.

The USS Edsall was attacked shortly after Pearl Harbour in 1942 and sank with a huge loss of life. The wreck, discovered by accident at the bottom of the Indian Ocean, is the final resting place of more than 200 servicemen.

There were no survivors of the attack, which went on to be used in Japanese propaganda.

The 314ft destroyer was found by the Australian navy last year but the development was only announced this week.

“Captain Joshua Nix and his crew fought valiantly, evading 1,400 shells from Japanese battleships and cruisers before being attacked by 26 carrier dive bombers, taking only one fatal hit,” said Caroline Kennedy, the US ambassador to Australia.

On the day it was sunk, the USS Edsall was shelled by Japanese warships but managed to evade them using extreme manoeuvres and smokescreens – which led one Japanese combatant to describe the Edsall as a “Dancing Mouse”.

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The Australian navy made the surprise discovery as it was conducting an unrelated and unspecified mission in the area.

Its staff used “advanced robotic and autonomous systems normally used for hydrographic survey capabilities to locate the USS Edsall on the seabed,” Australia’s navy chief, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, said.

He paid tribute to the US ship, saying it “holds a special place in our naval history”.

“The USS Edsall served valiantly during World War II, most notably in the early Pacific campaigns. She operated alongside Australian war ships protecting our shores, and played a role in sinking the Japanese submarine I124 off Darwin.”

He added: “As we reflect on the legacy of the USS Edsall, we honour the sailors who faced tremendous challenges with bravery and determination.”