Discovery of WWII Japanese Destroyer
Researchers have found a long-lost Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer that sank during World War II in the South Pacific. The Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) team aboard the Nautilus located the Telzuki, a vessel measuring 440 feet, near the Solomon Islands on July 10, as reported by the Miami Herald.
The ship sank on December 12, 1942, amidst the fierce clashes of the Guadalcanal campaign, which saw intense battles between American and Japanese forces throughout 1942 and 1943.
Historians noted that the only American patrol boat involved in the sinking was just 77 feet long. According to the US Navy Research Institute, the Telzuki marked the largest warship to be sunk by a PT boat during the war.
The ocean floor, where the ship’s wreckage was discovered, became infamous for attacks by both planes and ships during WWII, particularly in the area between Guadalcanal and Florida Island.
It was quite a find for the team, as they hadn’t seen the Telzuki since its demise. The Japanese kept the details of their naval ships under wraps during the war, meaning that historical images of these vessels were almost non-existent.
Researchers from Kyoto University’s Centre for Southeast Asian Studies were instrumental in identifying the wreck. One researcher, Ishii, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to witness this piece of history, highlighting its significance not just for Japan, but for all nations involved.
During the war, the Telzuki served as the flagship for Admiral Rizu Tanaka and played a critical role in operations such as the ‘Tokyo Express,’ which provided vital supplies and support against US forces during the Guadalcanal battles.
The sinking of the Telzuki occurred while it was escorting a fleet, leading to a torpedo attack that caused substantial damage. Although many crew members survived, the incident took the lives of nine men.
Phil Hartmeyer, a marine archaeologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, noted that exploring the oceans is essential for uncovering important stories related to historical sacrifices and our connections with the sea.
Numerous military vessels are still lost on the ocean floor. The OET provides live video streams of their deep-sea explorations on their website.
