Wreck of WWII “Ghost Ship of the Pacific” Found Off California Coast in Remarkable Condition

The USS Stewart, a Navy destroyer with a mysterious past, has been rediscovered off the coast of California. Known as “the Ghost Ship of the Pacific,” this vessel saw combat on both sides during World War II. Its remains were found in remarkable condition, lying at a depth of 3,500 feet on the ocean floor in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, about 50 miles from San Francisco. The discovery, made in August, marks the end of a search that lasted nearly 80 years.

The Eerie Tale of the USS Stewart: “The Ghost Ship of the Pacific”

The USS Stewart, built during the final months of World War I, was laid down in Philadelphia in September 1919 and commissioned in 1920. The ship spent the early years of World War II stationed in Manila, Philippines, as part of the U.S. Navy’s Asiatic Fleet. By the time Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, the fleet was outdated and poorly equipped compared to the newer warships in the Pacific.

In February 1942, the USS Stewart faced a tough battle against Japanese forces near Bali, where it sustained damage from gunfire. A freak accident left it stranded in a dry dock in Java. As Japanese forces prepared to invade the island, the ship’s crew made the difficult decision to scuttle it, sinking the vessel to prevent it from being captured.

However, the Imperial Japanese Navy raised the Stewart and repurposed it as Patrol Boat No. 102. For the next few years, rumors spread of an American ship operating behind enemy lines. This gave rise to the ship’s eerie nickname, “the Ghost Ship of the Pacific.” Its sightings fueled speculation and mystery throughout the war.

The Rediscovery of the USS Stewart

The mystery surrounding the USS Stewart’s fate persisted until the end of World War II, when American forces found the ship in Japan. Though battered, it was still afloat. The vessel was formally recommissioned before being towed back to San Francisco. In 1946, the Navy decided to use the Stewart for target practice, subjecting it to hours of aerial rockets and naval gunfire. Eventually, the ship sank to the bottom of the ocean, where it would remain hidden for nearly eight decades.

The search for the USS Stewart was a collaborative effort, involving Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company, along with the archaeology company SEARCH, the nonprofit Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Navy. Utilizing three autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), Ocean Infinity finally located the wreckage in a 37-square nautical mile area of the seafloor. According to Andy Cherel, Ocean Infinity’s director of maritime operations, the wreck was found quickly and mapped in high resolution, revealing its well-preserved state.

The discovery of the Stewart is significant, as it provides a rare glimpse into early 20th-century naval design. Maritime archaeologist James Delgado, a senior vice president at SEARCH, highlighted its importance in a statement, noting that the ship’s story—from its service with the U.S. Navy to its time under Japanese control and eventual return—illustrates the complexity of the Pacific War.

Historical Significance and Preservation of the USS Stewart

The USS Stewart’s rediscovery also allows historians and researchers to study its design and condition. The vessel remains largely intact, resting upright on the seafloor. Its preservation offers a unique opportunity to better understand naval history, as well as the challenges faced by the crews who served on these destroyers during World War II.

The USS Stewart is a fascinating historical relic because of her two roles in the fight: initially as an American battleship, then as a Japanese force’s vessel, and lastly as a representation of the difficulties of war. The narrative of this haunting disaster has provided a physical link to the events of the 20th century and given new light on a forgotten chapter of naval combat. Its narrative provides an insight of the complex relationships and shifting allegiances that characterized the Pacific Theater during World War II.