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Discovery of a Mystery Car in the USS Yorktown Wreck
A recent exploration of the USS Yorktown, a World War II aircraft carrier sunk by Japanese forces, has revealed an unexpected find: a car lying in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is now inviting the public to assist in uncovering the identity of this intriguing vehicle, which was discovered during a deep-sea survey on April 19 at the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument covers an expanse of 582,578 square miles in the Pacific and is home to numerous historical shipwrecks, including the USS Yorktown.
As the United States’ largest fully protected conservation area, Papahānaumokuākea features the remains of the USS Yorktown, which played a crucial role during pivotal battles like Coral Sea and Midway. This 809-foot-long carrier could accommodate around 90 aircraft and housed approximately 2,200 crew members. Following damage sustained in the Battle of Midway, the ship was ultimately sunk by torpedoes from a Japanese submarine on June 7, 1942, while heading for repairs at Pearl Harbor. Rediscovered in 1998, the Yorktown now lies roughly three miles beneath the Pacific’s surface, located about 1,000 miles northwest of Honolulu.
Despite the well-documented history of the Yorktown, the recent dive uncovered an unexpected relic. As the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) descended to explore the wreck, researchers were caught off guard by the sight of what appeared to be a military-style jeep.
“That’s a car,” exclaimed one of the researchers during the livestream. “That is a full car.”
Another team member quizzically responded, “Why is there a car on this boat?”
The exact reason for the car’s presence on the aircraft carrier remains unexplained.
Located near elevator 3 within the wreck, the vehicle features distinctive elements such as flared fenders, chrome trim, a ragtop, and a spare tire still mounted on the back door, as reported by The Miami Herald.
Phil Hartmeyer, a marine archeologist with NOAA Ocean Exploration, speculated about the potential reasons for having a car on board. “Yorktown’s salvage crew worked diligently to discard anti-aircraft guns and aircraft to lessen its list after the torpedo hit, but did they decide to leave the car, something they could roll off the side?” he pondered.
Two primary theories have emerged regarding the vehicle’s presence aboard the Yorktown. One suggests it may have belonged to Rear Admiral Frank Fletcher, as the aircraft carrier served as his flagship during the conflict. Another possibility is that naval officers had brought the car on board for quick repairs after it incurred damage during the Battle of Coral Sea. Despite these theories, a Reddit thread pointed out that current historical records do not reference any car being on board during the battles.
The wreck of the Yorktown rests nearly upright on the ocean floor, about three miles underwater.
One participant in the discussion speculated whether the car was meant to be offloaded at Midway following a hoped-for engagement victory against the Japanese forces. “Hangar space on carriers was (and still is) extremely valuable. It would be remarkable to have a car taking up such space,” they noted.
For researchers, the discovery of the car adds an element of mystery to their investigation. However, they are encouraging anyone knowledgeable about automobiles to contribute to uncovering its origins.
“We’re reaching out to automobile enthusiasts,” expressed an NOAA researcher during the livestream, inviting insight and expertise into this curious find.
Source
www.popsci.com