Discover the intriguing stories behind some of the most notable underwater shipwreck from World War I and World War II. These wrecks, remnants of monumental naval conflicts, lie scattered across the world’s oceans, each with its own unique tale. From deep-sea explorations to historical mysteries, here are 30 shipwrecks from the World Wars that continue to captivate historians and divers alike.
1. The Shipwreck Kaga – Battle of Midway
The Japanese aircraft carrier Kaga, a key player in the Battle of Midway in June 1942, met its end beneath the waves after being heavily damaged by U.S. bombers. Once a symbol of Japanese naval might, its wreck was discovered in 2019 by a team led by Paul Allen’s Vulcan Inc. The carrier was left burning and eventually scuttled by Japanese forces to prevent its capture.
2. The Lost Dutch Submarines – Southeast Asia
Two Dutch submarines, HNLMS O 16 and HRMS K XVII, sank during World War II in Southeast Asia. While HNLMS O 16 was lost to a naval mine in the Gulf of Thailand in December 1941, HRMS K XVII fell victim to Japanese bombing in February 1942. Recent reports suggest that both wrecks may have been plundered by illegal salvagers.
3. The USS Samuel B. Roberts – Deepest Shipwreck
The USS Samuel B. Roberts, affectionately known as the “Sammy B,” holds the record as the deepest known shipwreck. Discovered in 2022 at a depth of 22,916 feet in the Philippine Sea, the American destroyer was sunk during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. Its discovery sheds light on one of the largest naval battles in history.
4. The USS Johnston – A Deep Dive
Before the discovery of the Sammy B, the USS Johnston was considered the world’s deepest shipwreck. Located at 21,180 feet beneath the surface off the coast of Samar in the Philippines, the destroyer was sunk during the same battle as the Sammy B. The wreck’s depth underscores the fierce combat that characterized the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
5. WWII Shipwreck Near Maui
Near Maui, several World War II wrecks are found, including amphibious assault vehicles like the LVT-4 and various aircraft such as the F6F Hellcat and SB2C Helldiver. These remnants of the Pacific theater offer a glimpse into the training and operations that shaped the U.S. military’s Pacific campaigns.
6. The Bluefields and U-576 – North Carolina’s Maritime Graveyard
In July 1945, the Allied merchant freighter Bluefields and the German U-boat U-576 sank off North Carolina. Discovered in 2014, the shipwrecks were found just a few hundred yards apart. The Bluefields was torpedoed by U-576, which was subsequently sunk by the convoy’s escort ships, illustrating the perilous nature of naval warfare.
7. Ghost Ships of Iwo Jima
In 2022, an underwater volcanic eruption near Iwo Jima revealed around two dozen “ghost ships.” These vessels, mostly Japanese transports scuttled after the fierce Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, emerged from the seabed, offering new insights into the aftermath of one of World War II’s most brutal battles.
8. The USS Abner Read – Alaska’s Sunken Destroyer
The USS Abner Read, an American destroyer, was discovered near Kiska Island in Alaska in 2014. The ship sank in August 1943 due to a massive explosion, likely from a Japanese naval mine. This shipwreck is a poignant reminder of the naval engagements in the Aleutian Islands.
9. UB-82 – A Sea Monster Mystery
In 2016, the wreck of the German U-boat UB-82 was found off the coast of Scotland. This World War I submarine was sunk by British patrol boats in April 1918. Internet legends claim it was attacked by a sea monster before its sinking, adding a layer of mystery to its historical narrative.
10. The Shipwreck Amber Room – A Lost Treasure
A German steamship sunk in the Baltic Sea during the final days of World War II is believed to have carried the lost panels of Russia’s Amber Room. This ornate room, looted by German soldiers in 1941, may have been on the ship when it was sunk by Soviet warplanes in April 1945.
11. F4U-4 Corsair – Iriomote Island
In March 2019, divers identified the shipwreck of a US F4U-4 Corsair fighter-bomber on Iriomote Island, Japan. The plane, piloted by 2nd Lt. John McGrath, was shot down during World War II’s final stages. The discovery provides a personal connection to the broader conflict.
12. USS Grenadier – The Straits of Malacca
The USS Grenadier, an American submarine sunk in 1943, was discovered by divers in 2020 near the Strait of Malacca. The submarine was torpedoed by a Japanese warplane while attacking cargo ships near Phuket. Its crew was captured and endured severe hardships as prisoners of war.
13. The Polluting German Warship – North Sea
A German warship sunk in 1942 still pollutes the North Sea with toxic chemicals. The patrol boat, part of Operation Cerberus, sank with hazardous materials that continue to pose environmental risks, highlighting the ongoing impact of wartime pollution.
14. Japanese I-124 Submarine – Darwin’s Depths
The wreck of the Japanese submarine I-124, sunk in 1942 off Darwin, Australia, was damaged by salvagers in 1977. The sub, initially sunk by Australian depth charges, became a focal point for a virtual-reality study, revealing the long-lasting effects of wartime salvage operations.
15. Shipwreck HMS Urge – Mediterranean Secrets
Discovered in 2019 near Malta, the British submarine HMS Urge sank in 1942. The sub’s disappearance during a secret mission has been the subject of speculation, but current theories suggest it hit a naval mine while en route to Alexandria, Egypt.
16. HMS Warrior – Battle of Jutland
The HMS Warrior, the last World War I shipwreck from the Battle of Jutland, was found near Norway in 2016. The British warship, damaged by German gunfire during the 1916 battle, sank while attempting to return to the UK, marking a significant loss in naval history.
17. Scharnhorst – Falkland Islands
The German battlecruiser Scharnhorst was discovered in 2019 beneath over 5,000 feet of seawater near the Falkland Islands. The ship was sunk by British warships in a surprise attack while attempting to raid the Falklands, exemplifying the high-stakes naval engagements of World War I.
18. USS McCulloch – A Foggy Collision
The USS McCulloch, an early 20th-century cutter, collided with a passenger steamship in thick fog off California in 1917. Its wreck was revealed in 2015, providing insights into the maritime accidents of World War I era vessels.
19. HMAS AE1 – Australia’s First WWI Loss
The Australian submarine HMAS AE1, which vanished in 1914, was discovered off Papua New Guinea in 2017. This was Australia’s first World War I naval loss, and it’s believed the submarine sank due to an open ventilation valve that flooded the engine room.
20. The Shipwreck Bear – From Seal Hunter to Patroller
In 2021, the wreck of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Bear was found southeast of Boston. Once a seal hunting vessel, it was repurposed for Arctic rescues and wartime patrols. The ship’s diverse history includes service during the Spanish flu pandemic and both World Wars.
21. USS Houston – Torpedoed Cruiser
The USS Houston, a heavy cruiser sunk during the Battle of Sunda Strait in February 1942, was explored by divers in 2014. The ship was torpedoed by Japanese warships, resulting in the loss of over 700 crew members, with 368 surviving and becoming prisoners of war.
22. Higgins Boat – Lake Mead’s Discovery
In July 2022, the receding waters of Lake Mead revealed a World War II Higgins boat. These landing craft were pivotal in the D-Day landings and other invasions. The wreck offers a snapshot of the wartime effort and the impact of modern environmental changes.
23. The Lusitania – A Sinking with Consequences
The RMS Lusitania, torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1915, remains a significant wreck due to its role in shifting public opinion on World War I. The ship sank quickly, and its loss contributed to the U.S. entering the war.
24. The Bismarck – Legendary Battleship
The German battleship Bismarck, sunk in 1941, was discovered in 1989. The wreck’s location in the Atlantic Ocean is a testament to its infamous naval engagement with British forces. Its story continues to be a subject of historical and naval interest.
25. The Shipwreck Arizona – Pearl Harbor’s Ghost
The USS Arizona, sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, remains partially submerged at its attack site. The wreck serves as a poignant memorial to the lives lost and the beginning of the U.S. involvement in World War II.
26. HMS Prince of Wales – A Tragic Loss
The HMS Prince of Wales, an advanced British battleship sunk in December 1941, was discovered by underwater robots in 2017. Its sinking, along with the HMS Repulse, marked a significant loss for the Royal Navy in the Pacific theater.
27. The C.P. 137 – A Tragic American Submarine
The C.P. 137, an American submarine lost during a reconnaissance mission in 1942, was located near the Solomon Islands in 2021. The sub’s loss was initially mysterious but is now understood to have been caused by a Japanese anti-submarine net.
28. S.S. Gairsoppa – A Silver Lining
The British cargo ship S.S. Gairsoppa, sunk by a German U-boat in 1941, was rediscovered in 2011 with its hold full of silver bars. The recovery of the ship’s precious cargo represents one of the largest treasure finds of World War II wrecks.
29. The Prinz Eugen – A Hidden History
The German cruiser Prinz Eugen, scuttled in 1946 after the war, was located in the Adriatic Sea in 2020. Its shipwreck, which was meant to be sunk as part of a post-war clean-up, now serves as a time capsule of the end of the war in Europe.
30. Shipwreck USS Lexington – A Carrier’s Final Rest
The USS Lexington, sunk during the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942, was discovered in 2018. This American aircraft carrier, which played a crucial role in the early Pacific battles, lies in relatively shallow waters, making it accessible for underwater exploration.
Conclusion
These shipwrecks from World War I and World War II offer a window into the past, each telling a story of bravery, tragedy, and the immense scale of the conflicts that shaped the 20th century. As underwater archaeology and technology advance, new discoveries continue to enrich our understanding of these historic events and the lives lost at sea.
