USS Stewart: Legendary 'Ghost Ship of the Pacific' rediscovered after 80 years

A ship lost for nearly 80 years, known as the "Ghost Ship of the Pacific," has been found off the coast of California. The USS Stewart, a Navy destroyer that sailed through World War II, was uncovered at a depth of 3,500 feet in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, according to the New York Post.

Ocean Infinity, along with the Search, Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, NOAA, and the US Navy, led the search. They found the ship in a 37-square nautical mile area of the seafloor using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).


Maritime archaeologist James Delgado stated, "The USS Stewart is a symbol of the complexity of the Pacific War, and its preservation offers a unique opportunity to study early 20th-century destroyer design."

The USS Stewart, commissioned in 1920, was involved in significant events during its time at sea. Part of the US Navy’s Asiatic fleet during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the ship was damaged in 1942 and scuttled to prevent capture. The Japanese later raised and renamed it Patrol Boat No. 102, leading to its nickname, the "Ghost Ship of the Pacific."

The ship was intentionally destroyed in a military exercise in 1946. High-resolution images of the vessel will be used for studying marine life and managing the historic site.