USA: the wreck of the aircraft carrier USS Independence has been found and identified

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration – NOAA in cooperation with private companies and the US Navy has found and identified the wreck of the US light aircraft carrier USS Independence. This type of vessel proved to be crucial during the Pacific campaign in World War II.

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Unfortunately for wreck diving enthusiasts, I have bad news right from the start. The wreck is located at a depth of about 800 m, near the Farallon Islands, near the Californian coast. It is a great pity that the aircraft carrier rests so deep, because from the information provided by NOAA employees, it appears to be in excellent condition. Both the hull and the flight deck are perfectly preserved, while the outline of an aircraft can be seen in the photo of one of the hangars.

USS Independence participated in hostilities in the Central and Western Pacific. She served from November 1943 to August 1945. She then became part of a group of more than 90 ships that were assigned as training targets for atomic weapons testing at Bikini Atoll.

Damaged by shockwaves, temperature and radiation, the aircraft carrier survived nuclear weapons testing and, like many others, returned to the US as part of Operation Cross Roads.

Moored in San Francisco at Point Naval Shipyard, the USS Independence was the subject of US Navy decontamination and decontamination studies. This situation lasted until 26 January 1951, when it was decided to sink the vessel.

“After 64 years at the bottom of the sea, the USS Independence looks as good as if it is about to send its planes into battle. This ship took part in a tough campaign in the Pacific, and survived two more atomic bomb blasts after all. It is a reminder of the glorious times of industrial might and the incredible generation of people involved in the war,” reports James Delgado representing NOAA.

The wreck was found during work carried out as part of a two-year project to locate, map and study historic wrecks in the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and surrounding waters.

The entire operation was carried out last month. The work involved the use of a 5.5m-long AUV – the Echo Ranger underwater robot. The equipment was provided by aerospace giant Boeing. In addition, the aircraft manufacturer worked with Coda Octopus to integrate the Echoscope sonar system, which provides 3D imaging data.

The researchers and technical team on the R/V Fulmar were able to follow the AUV as it sailed just 50m above the aircraft carrier wreck. The transmitted data showed the wreck standing flush on its keel and preserved in excellent condition.

Source: noaa.gov