Latest news with #FrankJackFletcher
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Massive mural found intact on World War II ship that sank in 1942
An ocean mapping expedition conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explored the resting site of the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) and found that a mural painted inside the ship was still intact after nearly 83 years underwater. Shortly after the Battle of Midway, an already crippled USS Yorktown was hit by a torpedo attack from a Japanese submarine. The damage was significant enough that the US Navy deemed repairs impossible and the ship sank in the Pacific. The sunken aircraft carrier was rediscovered in 1998 by oceanographer Robert Ballard. The NOAA's exploration team explored the ship's hangar deck and discovered a mural, titled "A Chart of the Cruises of the USS Yorktown," painted on the wall of one of the ship's elevator shafts. Before the explorers rediscovered the painting, it had only been partially visible in historical photos of the ship. The 42 by 12-foot mural displays a world map that tracks the various voyages the ship undertook during its time in service. The hand-painted artwork wasn't the only surprise awaiting the explorers in the depths of the Yorktown; the NOAA team also found an old car in the aft hangar of the ship. According to NOAA, the vehicle is a 1940-1941 Ford Super Deluxe "Woody," colored black. The words "SHIP SERVICE_NAVY" are written on part of its front plate. NOAA researchers believe the car may have been used by Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, Captain Elliott Buckmaster, or other crew for conducting business while the ship was in foreign ports. The car's existence on the ship is something of a curiosity. In May 1942, the Yorktown was severely damaged by Japanese aircraft in the Battle of the Coral Sea, after which it sailed back to Hawaii, where it stayed in dry dock at Pearl Harbor for two days for rapid repairs before it went to participate in the Battle of Midway. During the battle, the Yorktown was again damaged by Japanese aircraft, and developed a list to its port side — meaning the ship began to lean to one side — at which time the crew jettisoned much of its heavy equipment, like aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. But they didn't jettison the car. The reasons for keeping the car onboard the ship at a time when even anti-aircraft guns and airplanes were being tossed over may remain a mystery. The NOAA's dive also found the first underwater examples of the aircraft on the Yorktown that had been jettisoned during the Battle of Midway. While exploring a heavily obstructed elevator shaft, the NOAA's remote vehicle entered a hangar and found the remains of at least three Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers. Records from the battle note that the Yorktown recovered a pair of aircraft from the USS Enterprise that had been barely damaged. The aircraft were moved down onto a hangar deck and later suffered fire damage when Japanese bombs hit the Yorktown. Research is still ongoing to determine if the airplanes found in the hangar are those recovered from the Enterprise. Other parts of various aircraft were also located among the wreckage. In addition to the remnants of battle, the NOAA may have also discovered a new species of jellyfish. The dive team encountered a small, bright red and white jellyfish, though it is unclear if it's a new or an existing species. Tubeworms and anemones were also found attached to the ship's hull. Sunken ships often provide structures for undersea life to attach and grow onto. In 2023, the site of the Yorktown's wreck was designated as a Site of Extraordinary Character by the US Navy.
The Independent
28-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Massive mural found intact on World War II ship that sank in 1942
An ocean mapping expedition conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration explored the resting site of the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) and found that a mural painted inside the ship was still intact after nearly 83 years underwater. Shortly after the Battle of Midway, an already crippled USS Yorktown was hit by a torpedo attack from a Japanese submarine. The damage was significant enough that the US Navy deemed repairs impossible and the ship sank in the Pacific. The sunken aircraft carrier was rediscovered in 1998 by oceanographer Robert Ballard. The NOAA's exploration team explored the ship's hangar deck and discovered a mural, titled "A Chart of the Cruises of the USS Yorktown," painted on the wall of one of the ship's elevator shafts. Before the explorers rediscovered the painting, it had only been partially visible in historical photos of the ship. The 42 by 12-foot mural displays a world map that tracks the various voyages the ship undertook during its time in service. The hand-painted artwork wasn't the only surprise awaiting the explorers in the depths of the Yorktown; the NOAA team also found an old car in the aft hangar of the ship. According to NOAA, the vehicle is a 1940-1941 Ford Super Deluxe "Woody," colored black. The words "SHIP SERVICE_NAVY" are written on part of its front plate. NOAA researchers believe the car may have been used by Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, Captain Elliott Buckmaster, or other crew for conducting business while the ship was in foreign ports. The car's existence on the ship is something of a curiosity. In May 1942, the Yorktown was severely damaged by Japanese aircraft in the Battle of the Coral Sea, after which it sailed back to Hawaii, where it stayed in dry dock at Pearl Harbor for two days for rapid repairs before it went to participate in the Battle of Midway. During the battle, the Yorktown was again damaged by Japanese aircraft, and developed a list to its port side — meaning the ship began to lean to one side — at which time the crew jettisoned much of its heavy equipment, like aircraft and anti-aircraft guns. But they didn't jettison the car. The reasons for keeping the car onboard the ship at a time when even anti-aircraft guns and airplanes were being tossed over may remain a mystery. The NOAA's dive also found the first underwater examples of the aircraft on the Yorktown that had been jettisoned during the Battle of Midway. While exploring a heavily obstructed elevator shaft, the NOAA's remote vehicle entered a hangar and found the remains of at least three Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers. Records from the battle note that the Yorktown recovered a pair of aircraft from the USS Enterprise that had been barely damaged. The aircraft were moved down onto a hangar deck and later suffered fire damage when Japanese bombs hit the Yorktown. Research is still ongoing to determine if the airplanes found in the hangar are those recovered from the Enterprise. Other parts of various aircraft were also located among the wreckage. In addition to the remnants of battle, the NOAA may have also discovered a new species of jellyfish. The dive team encountered a small, bright red and white jellyfish, though it is unclear if it's a new or an existing species. Tubeworms and anemones were also found attached to the ship's hull. Sunken ships often provide structures for undersea life to attach and grow onto. In 2023, the site of the Yorktown's wreck was designated as a Site of Extraordinary Character by the US Navy.
American Military News
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- American Military News
Pics: Surprising WWII shipwreck finds revealed
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently announced that an underwater exploration resulted in the discovery of a vintage car in the shipwreck of the USS Yorktown, which is located in the Pacific Ocean. In a Tuesday press release, the NOAA announced the recent discoveries that were made by the NOAA Ocean Exploration and its partners during the 'Papahānaumokuākea ROV and Mapping expedition' of the USS Yorktown on April 19 and 20. 'This U.S. Navy aircraft carrier took part in several World War II operations before being sunk by a Japanese submarine following the Battle of Midway,' the NOAA stated in the press release. 'These non-disturbance dives were the first to explore the ship's hangar deck, revealing a number of unexpected discoveries.' According to the NOAA, the shipwreck of the USS Yorktown was initially discovered in 1998 by Dr. Robert Ballard, the U.S. Navy, and the National Geographic Society. The NOAA explained that the recent exploration expanded on previous expeditions, 'providing answers to existing questions and resulting in new mysteries for historians and scientists to puzzle out.' READ MORE: Historic shipwreck found off Northeast coast The NOAA announced that its team 'noticed a faint outline of an automobile' during the exploration dive on April 19 while 'peering into the aft hangar deck from the port side of USS Yorktown.' The NOAA's team was able to analyze the vehicle's features during the April 20 dive and 'tentatively identified the car as a 1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe 'Woody' in black.' 'With 'SHIP SERVICE ___ NAVY' written on part of its front plate, this car is hypothesized to have been used for Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, Captain Elliott Buckmaster, or other ship crew while USS Yorktown was conducting business in foreign ports,' the NOAA said. In addition to the discovery of the vintage car, divers also found a hand-pained mural located in one of the USS Yorktown's elevator shafts. The NOAA said the mural, which is labeled 'A Chart of the Cruises of the USS Yorktown,' features a world map that tracked the ship's various voyages. 'Measuring approximately 42 feet by 12 feet, its motifs showcase the pride that Yorktown's sailors had for their ship, the global scale of Yorktown's activities, and the strategic role that the ship played in defending the United States,' the NOAA said in Tuesday's press release. Pictures of the recent shipwreck discoveries were shared Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Researchers Stumped After 1940s Car Is Found Inside Sunk World War II Aircraft Carrier
Earlier this month, researchers used a remotely operated vehicle to explore the hangar deck of the USS , which was sunk by a Japanese submarine in World War II and now rests at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean The crew was surprised to find a 1940s car on the hangar deck, believed to have been reserved for high-ranking naval officers or crew members to use when the was docked in foreign ports The discovery of the car has left researchers puzzled, according to NOAA A crew exploring the final resting site of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that was sunk during World War II found something puzzling. On April 19 and 20, NOAA Ocean Exploration and partners used a remotely operated vehicle to continue ongoing explorations of the USS Yorktown at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, according to NOAA. The 809-foot-long carrier took part in several World War II operations before being sunk by a Japanese submarine in the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Several investigations of the Yorktown shipwreck have been made since it was discovered in 1998 — about 1,000 miles northwest of Honolulu — but the most recent dives were the first to explore the ship's hangar. Related: Colombian Shipwreck Worth $17 Billion to Be Recovered: 'Most Valuable Treasure' in the 'History of Humanity' During the operation on April 19, the crew observed "the faint outline" of an automobile while looking into the aft hangar deck from the port side. After analysis of the diagnostic features of the vehicle, it was tentatively identified as a 1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe, more familiarly known as a "Woody," in black. The words "SHIP SERVICE _ NAVY' are written on part of the car's front plate, leading researchers to suspect that the vehicle could have been used by Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, Captain Elliott Buckmaster or other crew members while the Yorktown was docked in foreign ports. But what has left researchers baffled is the fact that the car remained stowed in the hangar deck, following a brief, 48-hour repair period in Pearl Harbor, despite the ship's officers knowing they were headed to engage in the Battle of Midway. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to NOAA, the discovery of the car raises questions such as, "During the valiant efforts to right Yorktown's list, why too wasn't this car jettisoned like the anti-aircraft guns and the aircraft?" and "Did this automobile carry any particular importance to crew and officers who hoped it could be saved?" Related: Remains from 1856 Shipwreck Found Off the Coast of Massachusetts, Says Research Group The 1940s car was not the only surprise within the shipwreck. Researchers also found — and were able to photograph for the first time — a hand-painted mural inside one of the ship's elevator shafts. Prior to now, the mural had only been partially visible in historic photographs taken before the Yorktown sank, according to NOAA. The mural, which measures about 42 feet by 12 feet, depicts a world map which tracked all of the Yorktown's voyages. "Its motifs showcase the pride that Yorktown's sailors had for their ship, the global scale of Yorktown's activities and the strategic role that the ship played in defending the United States," NOAA said. Scientists additionally found at least three planes aboard the ship, including a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber with a bomb still secured in the release cradle. And since the Yorktown wreck has become a habitat for a variety of marine life, researchers also observed a red jellyfish that they believe may be a new species. "Observations of this [marine] life made throughout the ROV dives on April 19 and 20 are important in helping us better understand how the deep-ocean environment changes over time," NOAA noted. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why was a car inside a sunk World War II aircraft carrier? NOAA researchers perplexed
It seems fighter planes and bombers weren't the only vehicles aboard a famous U.S. Navy aircraft carrier that was sunk during World War II. A crew exploring the USS Yorktown at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean recently came across the unexpected sight of a Ford automobile in the ship's hangar. The discovery was first made April 19 during an ongoing month-long expedition led by NOAA Ocean Exploration when the crew sent a remotely-operated vehicle to explore the iconic Navy warship in the depths of the ocean. USS Yorktown, which Japanese forces hit with torpedoes following the pivotal Battle of Midway in June 1942, has been explored several times since its final resting place was discovered in 1998. But the most recent operation was the first to delve into the ship's hangar. The baffling sight of the car inside the hangar came amid a larger expedition led by a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The crew aboard a converted Navy vessel known as the Okeanos Explorer have since April 8 been mapping and exploring unexplored deepwater regions of Hawaii. The USS Yorktown, which could hold up to 2,200 personnel and 90 aircraft, was part of several operations during World War II after it was first commissioned in 1937. Damaged in the famous naval Battle of the Midway – a seminal clash between sea and air power – the carrier was ultimately sunk when a Japanese submarine torpedoed the ship while it was being hauled back to Pearl Harbor. The Yorktown's final resting place wasn't discovered until a 1998 expedition found it about 1,000 miles northwest of Honolulu. The most recent glimpse of the Yorktown wreckage came April 19 and 20 when explorers on the NOAA expedition sent a remotely-operated vehicle down to record new observations. The team anticipated seeing marine life, wrecked aircraft and other features inside the carrier, but they weren't expecting to come across a car. After the remote vehicle first spotted the upright automobile while peering through the hangar deck from the Yorktown's port side, the crew sent it back the next day to get a better look. That's what allowed the explorers to identify the car as a black 1940-41 Ford Super Deluxe, colloquially known as a "Woody." On the front license plate were the words 'SHIP SERVICE ___ NAVY," according to NOAA. That feature is what prompted the team of researchers to theorize that the car could have been reserved for Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher, as the Yorktown served as his flagship during World War II. Ship Captain Elliott Buckmaster or other ship crew could even have used it while Yorktown was docked at foreign ports, NOAA's team guessed. Questions remain though, about why the car was stowed on the hangar deck at all when the ship's officers knew it was heading to the Battle of Midway. Also puzzling is why the vehicle wasn't jettisoned with anti-aircraft guns and aircraft in an attempt to salvage the listing ship after it was damaged in the fighting. The dive to explore the USS Yorktown was part of a larger expedition in Papahānaumokuākea, a nationally protected area encompassing 583,000 square miles of ocean waters near the northwestern Hawaiian islands. During the exploration of the Yorktown, the team was able to image a famous hand-painted mural of a world map depicting the ship's voyages that had only partially been visible in historic photographs. The expedition also led to the first underwater discovery of aircraft on the Midway battlefield. Researchers even got a look at some of the marine life that have made the remnants of the aircraft carrier their home. The 28-day mission began April 8 and is due to end May 5. You can follow along with livestreams available on the expedition's website. Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Car found in sunken WWII-era ship. Why it's there is a mystery.
