WWII American warship's severed bow found 80 years after being blown off in battle
Share and Follow

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A team of researchers recently discovered a historic bow that was blown off a World War II U.S. Navy ship during a historic battle that took place nearly 83 years ago.

The long-lost bow — which was torn off the USS New Orleans in the Battle of Tassafaronga in November 1942 — was found around 2,200 feet underwater in the Solomon Islands’ Iron Bottom Sound, according to a news release from the Ocean Exploration Trust.

More than 180 crew members died in the explosion, the Ocean Exploration Trust noted.

Three crew members lost their lives while trying to save the USS New Orleans, which was flooding and bow-less, and later received posthumous Navy Crosses for their heroic efforts. The Navy ship was taken back to the nearby Tulagi Harbor, and the crew used coconut logs to stabilize the ship enough to sail it back to the U.S. for permanent repairs, according to the Ocean Exploration Trust.

USS New Orleans (CA-32), the flagship of the New Orleans class of heavy cruisers, was heavily damaged in the WWII Battle of Tassafarronga at Guadalcanal when hit by a Japanese torpedo, catastrophically detonating the forward magazines and tearing off nearly one-third of the ship, including the bow.

USS New Orleans was heavily damaged in the WWII Battle of Tassafarronga at Guadalcanal when hit by a Japanese torpedo. (US National Archives)

“By all rights, this ship should have sunk, but due to the heroic damage control efforts of her crew, USS New Orleans became the most grievously damaged US cruiser in WWII to actually survive,” Naval History and Heritage Command Director Samuel J. Cox, a retired Navy Rear Admiral, said in a statement.

Last year, the wreckage of the USS Edsall, an American warship that was sunk during a battle with Japanese forces in World War II, was discovered more than 80 years after it was lost at the bottom of the sea.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Former UFC champ, actor airlifted after race track crash near Kansas City: reports

Reports indicate that a former UFC champion and actor required an air evacuation after a crash at a race track close to Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Former Ultimate Fighting Championship champion and actor…
Ted Cruz says he wishes he had a 'time machine' to stop Texas floods

Ted Cruz expresses desire for the ability to prevent Texas floods with a ‘time machine’

Texas Senator Ted Cruz gave an emotional speech Wednesday about the deadly floods…
DOJ sues California over refusal to ban trans athletes

The Department of Justice files a lawsuit against California for refusing to prohibit transgender athletes.

() The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the state of…
Deadly flash flooding hits Ruidoso, New Mexico

Ruidoso, New Mexico struck by fatal flash floods

Heavy monsoon rains caused flash flooding in a mountain village in southern…
Dozens attend vigil for Texas flood victims Tuesday evening

Many people gather for a ceremony honoring Texas flood victims on Tuesday evening

AUSTIN (KXAN) Dozens of University of Texas at Austin students and community…
12-year-old charged with murder in bicyclist's death in Albuquerque

Child, 12, accused of killing cyclist in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The youngest juvenile involved in the death of a bicyclist…
Flash flooding hits New Mexico as Texas recovery efforts continue

Recent heavy rains cause flash flooding in New Mexico while Texas focuses on recovery efforts.

() As recovery efforts continue after deadly floods in central Texas last…
The US faces more frequent extreme weather events, but attitudes and actions aren't keeping up

The US is experiencing more severe weather, but people’s responses are lagging

WASHINGTON (AP) — After deadly flooding in central Texas in 1987, some…