Lying more than 6,895 m (22,621 feet) below the surface of the Pacific ocean, USS Samuel B. Roberts is the deepest shipwreck ever surveyed.
USS Samuel B. Roberts on the seabed. Victor Vescovo's team made six dives in search of the vessel.
Victor Vescovo, the founder of exploration company Caladan Oceanic, and a team from EYOS Expeditions made six dives over eight days looking for the long-lost WW2 destroyer which was located on 22 June. It lies at a depth of 6,895 meters (22,621 feet), in the Philippine Sea, split in two and lodged on a slope.
Speaking to CNN, Vescovo called it an "honor" to find the ship, saying in a statement that locating it had given the team the chance "to retell her story of heroism and duty."
"In difficult times, it's important to reflect on those who sacrificed so much, so willingly, in even more difficult times to ensure our freedoms and way of life," he said.
"I always remain in awe of the extraordinary bravery of those who fought in this battle against truly overwhelming odds -- and won."
The Battle off Samar
On 25 October 1944, USS Samuel B. Roberts, was part of a task force nicknamed "Taffy 3" when it encountered the Japanese Center Force, a 23-ship task force off the eastern coast of Samar. The ensuing Battle off Samar was the centermost action of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history.
After a long battle, Roberts was then hit by three 14 in (356 mm) shells from the battleship Kongō, which tore a hole 40 ft (12 m) long and 10 ft (3 m) wide in the port side of her aft engine room. At 09:35, the order was given to abandon ship. She sank 30 minutes later, with 90 of her sailors.
