8 Incredible Sunken Wrecks from WWII

World War II left behind many sunken ships that now rest on the ocean floor. Each wreck has a unique story that captures a moment in history. Here are eight remarkable shipwrecks from that era, discovered under the sea.

Battle of Midway Wreck

The Japanese aircraft carrier Kaga is one of the only two wrecks found from the Battle of Midway, a major clash in June 1942. This battle was a key victory for the U.S. Navy. Bombs dropped by American warplanes severely damaged the Kaga, causing large fires. Other Japanese ships eventually sank the carrier with torpedoes to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.

Sammy B in the Philippine Sea

The American destroyer USS Samuel B. Roberts, affectionately known as “Sammy B,” was found in the Philippine Sea in 2022. It lies at an incredible depth of 22,916 feet (6,985 meters), making it the deepest known shipwreck in the world. The ship sank in October 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. This battle was one of the largest naval conflicts ever. The Sammy B went down after being hit by shells from Japanese warships.

USS Johnston Found Deep Underwater

Before the Sammy B was discovered, the USS Johnston held the record for the deepest known shipwreck. This destroyer also sank during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Its wreck sits 21,180 feet (6,456 meters) below the ocean surface near the island of Samar in the Philippines. The ship was lost after a fierce fight with Japanese warships.

Shot-Down Warplane in Japanese Island of Iriomote

In 2020, underwater explorers identified a warplane that had crashed near the remote Japanese island of Iriomote in 1945. The pilot was U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. John McGrath, who flew an F4U-4 Corsair during an attack late in World War II. A family member of McGrath participated in the dive, confirming the plane’s identity as part of their research.

Amphibious Vehicles and Warplanes

Numerous World War II wrecks are located on the ocean floor near the Hawaiian island of Maui. These include amphibious assault vehicles that were used to train U.S. troops for significant invasions of Pacific islands, along with the wrecks of various warplanes, such as an F6F Hellcat fighter and an SB2C Helldiver bomber.

American Destroyer Sunk by Explosion Near the Island of Kiska

The wreck of the American destroyer USS Abner Read was discovered in 2014 off the island of Kiska, part of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. This area is one of the few U.S. territories that was briefly occupied by Japanese forces during World War II. In August 1943, the ship was on patrol when it was sunk by a massive explosion, likely caused by a Japanese naval mine.

Wreck of the USS Houston

In 2014, divers from the U.S. Navy and the Indonesian navy explored the wreck of the USS Houston. This heavy cruiser sank during the Battle of Sunda Strait in February 1942. More than 700 of its crew members were lost after the ship was hit by several torpedoes from Japanese warships. While 368 survivors were taken as prisoners, 77 of them died in captivity.

American Light Cruiser USS Juneau Carried Five Brothers

In 2018, the wreck of the American light cruiser USS Juneau was discovered near Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The ship was sunk by a Japanese torpedo during the Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942. Among the 682 crew members who died were five brothers from the Sullivan family of Waterloo, Iowa. The brothers had received special permission to serve together.